Abstract:
The adsorption behavior of Am(Ⅲ) on Fe
2O
3 and Fe
3O
4 were studied in BS03 well groundwater(sampled from drilling well BS03 at Beishan(BS) area—a potential site for China’s high level radioactive waste repository) by a batch technique at (25±1) ℃. The influences of pH, sulphate ion, total carbonate ion, humic acid, and concentration of the Am(Ⅲ) on the adsorption behavior were also studied, and the possible adsorption mechanisms were discussed. Experimental results show that the adsorption distribution ratio of Am(Ⅲ) on Fe
2O
3 and Fe
3O
4 are increased with increasing pH value of the aqueous phase. The chemical composition of the groundwater is the main factor which influence the species of Am(Ⅲ) and adsorption. The adsorption mechanism of Am(Ⅲ) on Fe
2O
3 and Fe
3O
4 is surface complexation. The adsorption isotherm of Am(Ⅲ) on Fe
2O
3 and Fe
3O
4 can be described by the Freundlich’s equation.