Uptake of Cesium () by Building Materials in Aqueous Batch Systems
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 11
Abstract
Cesium-137 () is a radioactive source that could be utilized in the construction of a radioactive dispersal device (RDD). The objective of this study was to examine the uptake of by common structural materials in the presence of water by using batch experiments with nonradioactive cesium chloride () as a surrogate for the radionuclide. Uptake kinetics and adsorption isotherms of were measured on a diverse set of building materials, as were the effects of pH on the sorption processes. The results showed that wood materials, metal filings, and organic building materials and supplies did not sorb significant amounts of , but red brick, concrete block, drop ceiling panels, and clay materials retained strongly. Adsorption kinetics were fast, and sorption isotherms could be characterized as linear. The solution pH did not have a significant effect on sorption.
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Acknowledgments
The authors greatly appreciate the analytical assistance provided by Michelle Thompson and the advice on BET analysis by Dr. Jeffery A. Steevens, both at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi. This work was supported by the ERDC through the U.S. Army Research Office Scientific Services Program administered by Battelle (Delivery Order 0044, Contract No. USAROW911NF-07-D-0001). ERDC was funded by the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command/Armaments Research, Development and Engineering Center (RDECOM/ARDEC). The use of trade, product, or firm names are for descriptive purposes only and do not imply endorsement by the U.S. government. The views, opinions, and/or findings contained in this report are those of the authors and should not be construed as an official Department of the Army position, policy, or decision, unless so designated by other documentation.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 137 • Issue 11 • November 2011
Pages: 990 - 995
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 2, 2009
Accepted: May 4, 2011
Published online: May 6, 2011
Published in print: Nov 1, 2011
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