Remediation of the Serbian soils contaminated by radionuclides in the function of the sustainable development

Abstract

Phosphate-induced metal stabilization (PIMS) using apatite stabilizes uranium in situ, by chemically binding it into the new low-solubility (Ksp=10-49) phase. Uranium-phosphate-autunite is stable across a wide range of geological conditions for millions of years. A large area of contaminated soil is suitable for in situ remediation that involves minimizing the mobility of the uranium. Laboratory study was conducted to quantify different forms of apatite sequestration of uranium contaminant. The experiment was done with natural phosphate from Lisina deposit (14.43 % P2O5), with non-treated samples, phosphate concentrate samples with 34.95 % P2O5 and mechanochemically activated of natural apatite. Different concentration of P2O5 in apatite, pH, reaction time, solid/liquid ratio was investigated. The concentrate at pH 5.5 for 7 days sorbed around 93,64 % and nature apatite, with 14,43 % P2O5, for 30 days sorbed 94.54 % of the uranium from the water solution, concentration 100 µg U/ml. The results show that mineral apatite 'Lisina' is very effective for the treatment of contaminated soils in situ immobilization of U. Mechanochemical activation of natural apatite in vibration mill immobilized 85.37 % of uranium in the 7-day period of acting. This research on natural apatite from the deposit 'Lisina' for immobilization of uranium was the first one of this type in our country.