Contact

Viktor Dück

v.dueckAthzdr.de
Phone: +49 351 260 3241

Ph.D. topics


Radium sorption on natural occuring mineral phases


Ph.D. student:
Viktor Dück
Supervisors:
Dr. Frank Bok, Dr. Norbert Jordan (HZDR)
Departement:
Actinide Thermodynamics
Period:
07/2022-06/2025


The aim of this work is to clarify the sorption behavior of the NORM radium on the natural mineral phases quartz and gibbsite at the molecular level. Methodologically, modern surface X-ray diffraction techniques (CTR and RAXR) are used, combined with microscopic (TEM, SEM, AFM) and spectroscopic (TRLFS) techniques, as well as classical batch sorption and desorption experiments, as required.

In order to close the research gaps in this area, the two phases quartz (SiO2) and gibbsite (Al(OH)3) are particularly suitable, since both phases have a simple structure with only one surface group (gibbsite with aluminol groups and quartz with silanol groups). In order to show possible differences between the alkaline earth metals in sorption, sorption experiments with barium and strontium are carried out in addition to radium. Based on the reaction constants and the speciation of the sorptives, a model for the sorption of alkaline earth elements on quartz and gibbsite is created using surface complexation modeling. These models will be used as a basis for further models of more complex minerals such as feldspars.

This project has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2019-2020 under grant agreement No 900009.