Uranium(VI) sorption on montmorillonite in high ionic strength media

Of the three main choices for radioactive waste repository host rock—salt dome, argillaceous rock and crystalline rock—Germany has deposits of two eligible rock types. Salt dome, present in Northern Germany, has long been investigated as host rock and in recent years argillaceous rock has come to attention. There are two areas in Germany with sizable clay deposits: In the more populated south of Germany there is a deposit of the already well-researched Opalinus clay (OPA) and in the north of Germany there are clay deposits whose pore waters have a salt concentration of up to 4 mol L-1, ten times that of OPA. The aim of this work is to determine the sorption and diffusion properties of uranium(VI) on/in model clays and OPA at increased salinities in NaCl, KCl, CaCl2 and MgCl2. The basis for this work is formed by sorption experiments with Wyoming montmorillonite (SWy-2) in several strong electrolyte solutions. This also includes leaching experiments.