Radiocesium interception potentials in building materials

Abstract

The radiocesium interception potentials [RIP(K)] in powders of building materials, mmol kg−1, determined by the Wauters method, are as follows: brick 10–15, limestone 12, concrete 70–190, granite 40–200, and asphalt 140–280. The RIP(N) values, mmol kg−1, are lower than the respective RIP(K) values: limestone 2, brick 2–5, granite 3–11, asphalt 21–30, and concrete 45–195. For concrete and brick, the selectivity coefficients Kc(K/N) on 137Cs-selective sorption sites vary from 1.5 to 2.8, and for asphalt, limestone, and granite they reach 7–18, which suggests the presence of illite and mica particles affecting the 137Cs sorption in these materials. The values of Kd of 137Cs, calculated from the RIP(K) values and from the predicted concentrations of K+ in the pore solution of intact building materials, dm3 kg−1, are as follows: brick, limestone, and granite, 5–26; asphalt, 190–390; concrete, 600–1700.