Technetium retention and migration behaviour in Boom Clay. Topical Report, First full draft

Research outputpeer-review

Abstract

This report presents the most up-to-date understanding of technetium chemistry and transport behaviour in the Boom Clay formation (status 2010). Technetium is a redox-active fission product, with tetravalent Tc being the thermodynamically stable species under far field conditions in the Boom Clay. Tetravalent Tc readily associates with dissolved organic matter (DOM) at circumneutral pH, and the resulting Tc-DOM colloid dominates Tc transport. Tc-DOM colloids migrate through Boom Clay almost unretarded, but slowly dissociate. The dissociated Tc has a very high affinity for sorption sinks on the solid Boom Clay phase. The bulk migration of Tc therefore shows considerable retardation. The phenomenological model for Tc-DOM migration is assumed to be similar for all radionuclides which show affinity towards Boom Clay organic matter.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherSCK CEN
Number of pages120
Volume1
Edition0
StatePublished - Oct 2010

Publication series

NameSCK•CEN Reports
PublisherStudiecentrum voor Kernenergie
No.ER-101

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