Sorption of strontium and fractal scaling of the heterogeneous media in a candidate VLLW disposal site

Abstract

Because of the deposit and accumulation from the debris flow, the heterogeneous geological characteris- tics is obvious for a candidate very low level waste (VLLW) disposal site, with the grain size ranging from tens of microns to 75 cm. Therefore, it is challenging to directly measure the sorption capacity of the media and the distri- bution coefficient of some radionuclides, such as strontium. We have studies the correlation of the particle mass content with different grade size and the sorption capacity, which is important in the modeling of radionuclide migration in the heterogeneous disposal site. A total of three deep pits and five shallow trenches were excavated, and 21 solid samples were collected for laboratory experiments. The grade and percentage of the different-sized particles were obtained, and the fractal dimension (D) of the media was calculated from the results of sieved experiments. Steady state sorp- tion time and sorption isotherm of strontium was deter- mined in the heterogeneous media, and sorption and distribution of strontium in the heterogeneous media were evaluated by the relationship between the mass percentage and distribution coefficient (Kd) of the fine-particle media, which was comprised of selected particles with a diameter less than 1 mm, and the correlation on the Kd and D was regressed fit. The results indicated that fractal dimension bounded from 2.39 to 2.62 in the media, and Kd values of strontium ranged between 119 and 126 in the fine-particle media, and corresponding value was 11 and 43 in the ori- ginal media. The correlation between Kd and D was approximately linear.