Analysis of variations in sorption properties of sedimentary deposits in the Sosnovy bor aria of Leningrad region for evaluating the environmental impact of local nuclear facilities
Results of assessing the adsorption capacity of sedimentary deposits for radionuclides typically present in radwaste arising from operation of nuclear facilities in the Sosnovy Bor area of Leningrad region are presented. The adsorption distribution coefficients of 60Co, 90Sr, 137Cs, 239.240Pu, and 241Am in the “soil - water” equilibrium system are determined for the Quaternary deposits, Lomonosov sandstones, Kotlin clays, and Vendian sandstones that form the vertical soil profile of up to 160 m depth in the potential site for a regional repository project. Generic trends in the sorption behavior of radionuclides, variability of adsorption constants, and space distribution of their non-uniformity fields are described. It is shown that the variation pattern of the sorption coefficient is controlled by both lithological non-uniformity of rock formations and diversity of physicochemical mechanisms of interaction between dissolved radionuclides and mineral phase of the rock.