Estimation of distribution coefficient of uranium and its correlation with soil parameters around uranium mining site

Abstract

Distribution coefficient of uranium and its daughter products are very important for migration study around uranium mining sites. Since the distribution coefficient depends very much on the soil chemistry, generation of site specific Kd is very important. The present study emphasizes on the estimation of distribution coefficient for uranium and its correlation with various soil parameters. The distribution coefficient of uranium in top and one meter depth soil samples from above locations were estimated using laboratory batch method. The distribution coefficient of uranium varies from 69 to 5524 l/kg. No significant difference in uranium Kd values was observed for top and one meter depth soil samples. A good correlation was observed between distribution coefficient of uranium and soil parameters like pH and concentration of CaCO3.