Chemical compound forms of cadmium in uranium tailings of Schneckenstein

摘要

To outline the behaviour of any hazardous heavy metal in soils and hence its toxicity toward terrestrial biota, an understanding of the ways of its binding or of its specific chemical forms in the material of investigation are required. The present study sought to evaluate the release and mobility of cadmium from abandoned uranium residues. For that purpose, a seven steps sequential chemical extraction was the tool to define its different compound forms in the processed sediments. The results show that most of cadmium seems to be bound to the host minerals such as hornblende and chlorite. Also, from 16 to 69% the non residual cadmium is in association with the biogenic phase. Eleven to 35% is linked to carbonates. Nineteen to 100% of cadmium is exchangeable.