Sorption of radium onto early cretaceous clays (Gault and Plicatules Fm). Implications for a repository of low-level, long-lived radioactive waste

摘要

The repository of low-level and long-lived radioactive waste from REE purification and treatment is presently under investigation by the French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (Andra). This waste consists of Ra-bearing solids, mainly Ra-barite (Ba,Ra)(SO4), along with other salts such as NH4NO3 and monazite. The current repository concept under study is based on a shallow (similar to 30 m deep) geological disposal in a clay formation. This work deals with the experimental study of the sorption of Ra onto two clay rocks from Lower Cretaceous geological formations in the Department of Aube, in France, the Gault (tegulines) Formation and Plicatules Formation.