Influence of γ-irradiation and oxygen conditions on the diffusion of I-125 in crushed Beishan granite.

In this study, Da values of 125I as a tracer in the form of iodide were determined to investigate and assess the influence of irradiation and oxygen conditions, which must be considered in-situ environment of the geologic repository. The results indicate that capillary method is a simple and efficient method to study the diffusion behavior of radionuclides, which is a relatively feasible to quickly obtain the diffusion coefficient, especially for some special conditions, e.g., oxygen and irradiation conditions. The diffusion results showed that Da values of 125I- range from 1.4 × 10-10 to 1.5 × 10-9 m2∙s-1, which was much faster than other nuclides, such as 79Se (10-11 m2∙s-1). The batch adsorption experiments in this paper and related studies showed that the sorption could be neglected, i.e., 125I- is a weak adsorbent nuclide. Its diffusion and sorption process were hardly affected by pH、oxygen and irradiation conditions, which is very different from 79Se. Besides, ionic strength has a significant impact on the diffusion rate of 125I-, which is closely related to the double electric layer. Overall, this study indicates that natural BsG couldn't greatly attenuate the mobility of 125I- in the deep geologic repository and new retardation method or materials need to be explored. PMID: 32561060 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Applied Radiation and Isotopes - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Appl Radiat Isot Source Type: research