Capability of the Kd model to predict radionuclides behaviour and transport in unsaturated columns under steady flow conditions

Abstract

In the frame of the IRSN Chernobyl Pilot Site Project, a waste trench containing hot particles was instrumented to study the fate of radioactive pollutants. Results have shown the formation of a 90 Sr plume in the downstream aquifer, mainly present in the Aeolian layer after 15 years. Laboratories experiments were performed to analyse the transport of 90 Sr and 137 Cs in the Aeolian sand in both saturated and unsaturated conditions. Batch experiments were performed to study the chemical equilibrium state of the soil/solution system under static conditions. Stirred flow-through reactor experiments were performed to study the kinetics and reversibility of sorption reactions at the surface of solid particles under dynamic conditions. Column experiments in the structured porous media were also performed in saturated and unsaturated flow conditions. Experimental data pointed out a non-linear, instantaneous and reversible sorption process of 90 Sr. 137 Cs exhibits a non-linear behaviour with a partial irreversible sorption process. A suitable cation-exchange model was used to describe the solute/soil reactions. The former model was coupled with transport models to describe behaviour of 90 Sr and 137 Cs in both saturated and unsaturated steady flow conditions. Main transport parameters were identified and discussed. An effective simple Kd type approach to describe radionuclides transport properties under unsaturated conditions was evaluated.