Sorption of Th(IV) on goethite: effects of pH, ionic strength, FA and phosphate

Sorption of thorium (IV) on goethite was investigated as a function of contact time, pH, ionic strength, anions, solid-to-liquid ratio (m/V) and Th(IV) concentration using batch technique. The results showed that the sorption of Th(IV) was strong pH-dependence, and increased from ~10 to ~100% over the pH range of 2.0–4.0, and then kept a constant level in the higher pH range. The sorption of Th(IV) increased with increasing m/V and independent of ionic strength. It was clear that phosphate and FA significantly enhanced Th(IV) sorption on goethite. The sorption and desorption isotherms were investigated at pH 2.90 ± 0.05 and analyzed with Freundlich and Langmuir models, respectively. Compared to Langmuir model, Freundlich model could fit the experimental data better, according to the high relative coefficients.