Sorption properties of rocks on the territory of the former Semipalatinsk test site

Abstract

The ability of granite and diorite, which are the most abundant rocks on the territory of the Semipalatinsk test site, to take up 137Cs and 90Sr present in tunnel waters of the Degelen mountain massif was studied in a laboratory. Experiments were performed both with simulated solutions and with real radioactive groundwater. The 137Cs distribution coefficients were found for samples of typical granites, albitized granite, quartz porphyry, and diorite from the former Semipalatinsk test site. The 137Cs distribution coefficient KD (cm3 g−1) was found to be n × 103–n × 104 for albitized granite, 60–80 for quartz porphyry, and 30–50 for granite. The ability of quartz porphyry and granite to take up 90Sr from simulated solutions is characterized by the distribution coefficients KD = 10–20 cm3 g−1, and that of albitized granite, by KD = 110−120 cm3 g−1. The data obtained are required for predicting the migration of long-lived fission products from the nuclear explosion with underground waters from central zones of underground nuclear explosions in the former Semipalatinsk test site and for calculating the mass transfer in specific geologic media.