Sorption-desorption coefficients of uranium in contaminated soils collected around Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station

Various radionuclides including fission products and heavy nuclides were released into the environment during the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) accident. The dissolution followed by migration of deposited radionuclides of Cs, Sr and U on soils could take place to the local environment. Therefore, it is necessary to determine sorption-desorption coefficients of U in soil-water system around the FDNPS from a migration viewpoint. The determination of sorption coefficient Kd(S) as well as desorption coefficient Kd(D) for U has been carried out in the present study using a laboratory batch method. Stable U was used for sorption from simulated ground water onto contaminated soil samples collected from Okuma Town, Fukushima. Different soil parameters were measured to understand their effects on sorption and desorption processes. The obtained Kd(S) and Kd(D) values of U were compared with values of Kd(S) and Kd(D) of Cs and Sr and Kd(S)–U in known Fukushima accident contaminated soils reported in the literature for better understanding. It was observed that Kd(S)–U varied from 160 to 5100 L/kg, whereas Kd(D)-U ranged from 200 to 11000 L/kg. Kd(D) was higher than Kd(S) for U in these soils implying irreversibility of the sorption process. Pearson's correlation of Kd(S) values suggested that U sorption is affected by various soil parameters. However, desorption is decided by the nature of U species formed in sorption process and soil parameters like pH, presence of carbonates, Ca ions, clay minerals etc. to some extent. The comparison between Kd(S) and Kd(D) values for Cs, Sr and U revealed that unsorbed Sr could migrate farther than unsorbed Cs or U under the present experimental conditions. Both sorption and desorption studies are of great importance to understand migration of metal ions from contaminated sites to local uncontaminated areas. •Sorption-desorption studies of U were carried out on Okuma Town soil samples from Fukushima Prefecture.•Kd(S) values of Cs, Sr and U obtained between previous and present studies revealed Kd(S)–U > Kd(S)–Cs > Kd(S)–Sr.•Higher Kd values for U and Cs in the desorption than sorption showed irreversibility of U and Cs sorption on soils.•Pearson's correlation of Kd values with soil parameters helped to understand the sorption-desorption processes.