Column experiments have been carried out on the migration of
60Co,
85Sr and
137Cs in an alkaline solution (pH 12) through a sandy soil layer. Radionuclide-concentration distributions in both an effluent and a sandy soil layer were measured after pouring 200 ml of aqueous solution containing the radionuclides on the layer, followed by eluting with 3, 800 ml of distilled water.
Strontium-85 and
137Cs gave a similar distribution pattern in the soil layer, while
60Co migrated deeper into the layer. The migration velocity followed the order ;
60Co>
85Sr ??
137Cs. The order was different from that obtained with the radionuclides existed in a neutral solution. This suggested that the migration behavior of the radionuclides is significantly affected by the pH of the solution in which the radionuclides exist.
The sandy soil layer used here is considered as a linear system for the migration of
60Co in the solution of pH 12.
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