Interaction of environmental colloids and radionuclides: a brief review

Abstract

Environmental colloids exist widely in nature media, due to the strong reactivity and mobility. They can act as a carrier for radionuclides and play an important role in the transport of radionuclides in environment. The interaction between environmental colloids and radionuclides is of great significance to nuclear environment safety as well as nuclear emergency. In recent years, the colloids related issues have attracted much attention in the field of environmental radiochemistry. This review targeted on the typical environmental colloids in disposal environment of radioactive waste. Besides, the progress on interaction between environmental colloids and radionuclides was reviewed, the source, stability and transport of environmental colloids were discussed, common approaches for conducting colloidal related research were summarized, and the influence of environmental colloids on radionuclides migration was analyzed. The points in this review are expected to be referable for a comprehensive and in-depth understanding on the geochemical behavior of environmental colloids and radionuclides.