Kinetics of Pu(IV) sorption by smectite-rich natural clay

Kinetics of sorption of Pu(IV) by smectite-rich clay has been studied at varying metal ion concentrations. Different concentrations were achieved using different isotopes of Pu, namely, 239Pu, 238Pu and 237Pu. 237Pu was produced by alpha induced reaction on 235U, followed by radiochemical separation of Pu from irradiated U3O8 target. The concentrations used are above and below the solubility of Pu(IV) under neutral pH conditions, thereby, indicating the mechanism of sorption reactions of Pu(IV) in typical laboratory experiments and field level observations. Kinetics of Pu(IV) at 10−13 M concentration was found to be fast whereas at higher metal concentration the rate is governed by a slow step, indicating the role of formation of Pu(IV) polymeric species at the sorbent surface.