The Electrochromatography of Seawater Containing Dissolved Plutonium
Abstract
Electrochromatographic techniques were used to determine the chemical form of plutonium in seawater. If either Pu (III), Pu (IV) or PuO2(++) was added to a 0.7M NaCl-0.0023 M Na2CO3 solution, it was found that in each case about 30 percent of the plutonium would migrate to the anode and 70 percent would not migrate. Similar results were obtained in solutions containing other anions found in seawater. Plutonium electromigration experiments using NaCl solutions containing varying concentrations of Na2CO3 indicated the presence of an anionic complex that is sensitive to carbonate ion concentration. This behavior was not found with other anions in seawater. Plutonium from plutonium metal dissolved in seawater was found to migrate in the same way as Pu (III), Pu (IV) and PuO2(++). This indicates that the same final chemical form is reached for both the dissolved metal and the added plutonium ions. Plutonium from high fired PuO2 beads dissolved in seawater was found to migrate about 23 percent to the cathode and 22 percent to the anode; 55 percent did not migrate at all. This does not correspond to the migration behavior of the dissolved metal or the added plutonium ions; however, there is inconclusive evidence that the anionic fraction is the same carbonato-complex of plutonium.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 26, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0644338
Entities
People
- Wesley E. Lingren
Organizations
- Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory