Nature of the Radioactive Contaminants

Of the contaminants listed in Table 17.1, the hrst three are radioactive. The last one is benign but still is an issue for waste stabilization because the salts are easily 

Actinides Generally present in fully oxidized form, but salts such as nitrates, fluorides, and chlorides are common in solution Fully oxidized forms are insoluble. Oxides of lower oxidation states may be slightly soluble. Actinide salts are soluble 

Fission products Cesium (Cs), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), and technetium (Tc) are main isotopes present as salts (nitrates and chlorides). Tc may be present as oxides All salts are soluble. Tc oxidizes as soluble pertechnetate, but in reduced state, it is less soluble 

Radium (Ra), Ra disintegrates into Rn, which is Ra is soluble. Solubility of other 

Benign bulk salt Sodium and potassium nitrate, Highly soluble. Being in bulk 

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