Magnesium hydroxide bulk and colloid-associated 152Eu in an alkaline environment: colloid characterisation and sorption properties in the presence and absence of carbonate

Abstract

The distribution of ¹⁵²Eu between magnesium hydroxide bulk, colloids and solution has been assessed under alkaline conditions, such as those in nuclear fuel storage ponds. The colloidal phase has been characterised by two complementary methods: coupled ultrafiltration-ICP-AES and scanning electron microscopy. The quantity and the size distribution of the colloidal phase is strongly ionic strength-dependent. A decrease of the quantity of colloids, in particular the larger size ranges, has been observed with increasing ionic strength. Small colloids (1 kDa–10 kDa fraction) are predominant at all ionic strengths. The morphology of colloids, observed by field-emission gun scanning electron microscopy, appears to change from hexagonal prismatic (characteristic to the mineral) to spherical (energetically more favourable) as size decreases. The distribution of ¹⁵²Eu between the solid and liquid/colloidal phases has been investigated at carbonate concentrations ranging from 0 to 10⁻² M by coupled ultrafiltration and γ-spectrometry. Mg(OH)₂ bulk appears to be a very strong sorbent for ¹⁵²Eu, since complete sorption onto the bulk happens for carbonate concentrations as high as 10⁻³ M. Scavenging of ¹⁵²Eu by Mg(OH)₂ colloids is negligible in the presence of Mg(OH)₂ bulk. The distribution of ¹⁵²Eu between liquid and colloidal phases has been investigated in the absence of bulk at various carbonate concentrations. A significant uptake of ¹⁵²Eu by the colloids in solution has been observed, which decreases with increasing carbonate concentration. ¹⁵²Eu appears to be mainly associated to the smallest colloids (1 kDa–10 kDa fraction). There is a strong correlation between the sorption properties and the surface area of the colloids.