摘要

To prevent spreading of radioactive Se-79, a decay product of U-238, engineering barriers with bentonite are used. To predict the behaviour of Se-79, speciation of Se is considered. The interconversions of non-radioactive Se species were studied in aqueous suspensions of bentonite at various pH using HPLC, ion-pair reversed-phase and anion-exchange chromatographies as well as ICP-MS. Some chromatographic parameters were optimized to improve the separation of the species. The limit of Se detection was determined and the linearity of calibration curves was verified. In alkaline medium, a fair amount of selenite in contact with bentonite was oxidized to selenate within two weeks. As the retention of selenate in the barrier is lower than that of selenite, Se could easily spread.

  • 出版日期2012