Geologic adsorption coefficients

Many national programs plan to surround containers of their nuclear waste in a geologic repository, with a backfill of compacted bentonite clay (Fig. 13.33). A chief function of the clay backfill is to adsorb radionuclides and so retard their release from the engineered barrier system. Conca (1992) measured the apparent diffusion coefficient (D ) and apparent distribution coefficient (K [ml/g]) of some radionuclides in bentonite clay as a function of clay moisture content and compaction density. Measurements were made for clay densities from 0.2 to 2.0 g/cm, which correspond to porosities of 93 to 25%, respectively. With decreasing porosity, values declined by roughly 10 to 10 -fold. However, for the same porosity reduction, values were usually lowered by 10-fold and more, indicating less adsorption with compaction (Fig. 13.38). 

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