Effect of Dry Density on Diffusion of Some Radionuclides in Compacted Sodium Bentonite.

Abstract

The apparent diffusivities (Da) for cesium and tritium in compacted sodium bentonite saturated with distilled water were measured at ambient temperature. The dry density of the bentonite had a significant effect on Da for cesium, which decreased with increasing the dry density in the range of 0.2 to 2.0 Mg/m3. Α batch-Äi/ for cesium measured using a high solution/bentonite ratio is not applicable to predict Da(Cs) with a model based on linear sorption, because the ionic strength of pore water in the compacted bentonite is probably higher than the value of the solution for the batch sorption test in the existing experimental condition.