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Laboratory measurements of the strontium distribution coefficient K d Sr for Sediments From a Shallow Sand Aquifer
Author(s) -
Patterson R. J.,
Spoel T.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr017i003p00513
Subject(s) - strontium , aquifer , partition coefficient , mineralogy , sorption , geology , isotopes of strontium , vermiculite , grain size , sediment , groundwater , chemistry , adsorption , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering , organic chemistry , paleontology , chromatography
A batch method has been modified and improved for measuring strontium distribution coefficients K d Sr for sediments from the shallow aquifer at Chalk River. An average measured K d Sr value of 10 ml/g for whole aquifer sediments compares favorably both with a field value of 7 ml/g determined using the retardation equation and with an average K d Sr of 10 ml/g based on analytical results for aquifer sediments and coexisting groundwaters from a portion of the flow system that is contaminated with 90 Sr. Measurements of K d Sr for mineralogically pure segregates indicate that vermiculite, an alteration product of biotite, is the most effective adsorbent phase. K d Sr results for grain size fractions suggest that the distribution of minerals with respect to grain size may strongly influence the K d Sr of the whole sediment. Relationships between K d Sr and exchangeable calcium on the sediments and competing cation concentration in the test solution indicate that electrostatic forces primarily control the sorption of strontium.