Adsorption-desorption of 241Am(â ¢) on montmorillonite colloids and quartz sand: Effects of pH, ionic strength, colloid concentration and grain size.

Clay colloids in the subsurface environment have a strong adsorption capacity for radionuclides, and the mobile colloids will carry the nuclides for migration, which would promote the movability of radionuclides in the groundwater environment and pose a threat to the ecosphere. The investigations of the adsorption/desorption behaviors of radionuclides in colloids and porous media are significant for the evaluation of the geological disposal of radioactive wastes. To illustrate the adsorption/desorption behaviors of 241Am(Ⅲ) in Na-montmorillonite colloid and/or quartz sand systems at different pH (5, 7 and 9), ionic strengths (0, 0.1 and 5 mM), colloid concentrations (300 and 900 mg/L), nuclide concentrations (500, 800, 1100 and 1400 Bq/mL) and grain sizes (40 and 60 mesh), a series of batch sorption-desorption experiments were conducted. Combining the analysis of the physical and chemical properties of Na-montmorillonite with the Freundlich model, the influencing mechanism of different controlling factors is discussed. The experimental results show that the adsorption/desorption behaviors of 241Am(Ⅲ) in Na-montmorillonite colloid and/or quartz sand strongly are influenced by the pH value and ionic strength of a solution, the colloid concentration as well as quartz sand grain size. The adsorption and desorption isotherms within all the experimental conditions could be well-fitted by the Freundlich model and the correlation coefficients (R2) are bigger than 0.9. With the increase in pH, the adsorption partition coefficient (Kd) at 241Am(Ⅲ)-Na-montmorillonite colloid two-phase system and 241Am(Ⅲ)-Na-montmorillonite colloid-quartz sand three-phase system presents a trend which increases firstly followed by decreasing, due to the changes in the morphology of Am with pH. The Kd of 241Am(Ⅲ) adsorption on montmorillonite colloid and quartz sand decreases with increasing in ionic strength, which is mainly attributed to the competitive adsorption, surface complexation and the reduction of surface zeta potential. Additionally, the Kd increases with increasing colloid concentrations because of the increase in adsorption sites. When the mean grain diameter changes from 0.45 to 0.3 mm, the adsorption variation trends of 241Am(Ⅲ) remain basically unchanged. The research results obtained in this work are meaningful and helpful in understanding the migration behaviors of radionuclides in the underground environment.

Preparation and related properties of geopolymer solidified uranium tailings bodies with various fibers and fiber content.

Uranium tailing ponds are a potential major source of radioactive pollution. Solidification treatment can control the diffusion and migration of radioactive elements in uranium tailings to safeguard the surrounding ecological environment. A literature review and field investigation were conducted in this study prior to fabricating 11 solidified uranium tailing samples with different proportions of PVA fiber, basalt fiber, metakaolin, and fly ash, and the weight percentage of uranium tailings in the solidified body is 61.11%. The pore structure, volume resistivity, compressive strength, radon exhalation rate variations, and U(VI) leaching performance of the samples were analyzed. The pore size of the solidified samples is mainly between 1 and 50 nm, the pore volume is between 2.461 and 5.852 × 10-2 cm3/g, the volume resistivity is between 1020.00 and 1937.33 Ω·m, and the compressive strength is between 20.61 and 36.91 MPa. The radon exhalation rate is between 0.0397 and 0.0853 Bq·m-2·s-1. The cumulative leaching fraction of U(VI) is between 2.095 and 2.869 × 10-2 cm, and the uranium immobilization rate is between 83.46 and 85.97%. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the physical and mechanical properties, radon exhalation rates, and U(VI) leaching performance of the solidified samples, the basalt fiber is found to outperform PVA fiber overall. The solidification effect is optimal when 0.6% basalt fiber is added.

Bomb 137Cs in modern honey reveals a regional soil control on pollutant cycling by plants.

137Cs is a long-lived (30-year radioactive half-life) fission product dispersed globally by mid-20th century atmospheric nuclear weapons testing. Here we show that vegetation thousands of kilometers from testing sites continues to cycle 137Cs because it mimics potassium, and consequently, bees magnify this radionuclide in honey. There were no atmospheric weapons tests in the eastern United States, but most honey here has detectable 137Cs at >0.03 Bq kg-1, and in the southeastern U.S., activities can be >500 times higher. By measuring honey, we show regional patterns in the biogeochemical cycling of 137Cs and conclude that plants and animals receive disproportionally high exposure to ionizing radiation from 137Cs in low potassium soils. In several cases, the presence of 137Cs more than doubled the ionizing radiation from gamma and x-rays in the honey, indicating that despite its radioactive half-life, the environmental legacy of regional 137Cs pollution can persist for more than six decades.

Gamma Ray Spectrometric Analysis of Sand Samples from Selected Beaches along Kenyan Coastline.

In this study, the activity concentration levels of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in sand samples collected from Shanzu, Nyali, Kenyatta, Tiwi, Shelly, and Diani beaches selected along the Kenyan coastline were determined using a gamma ray spectrometer with a NaI(Tl) detector. The average activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in sand samples were analyzed as 87 ± 4, 98 ± 4, and 1254 ± 62 Bq/kg, respectively. Also, radium equivalent (Raeq) activity and internal (H in) and external (H ex) hazard index were calculated to assess the radiological hazards associated with the use of sand samples as building materials. The average values of Raeq, H in, and H ex were found as 327 ± 16 Bq/kg, 0.98, and 0.72, respectively. The average values of outdoor and indoor annual effective dose rates were estimated as of 0.23 and 0.63 mSv/y, respectively, which are below maximum recommended limit of 1 mSv/y. Generally, these results indicate no significant radiological health hazards for the studied beaches.

A case study on the correlation between radon and multiple geophysicochemical properties of soils in G island, Korea, and effects on the bacterial metabolic behaviors.

This study was conducted to assess the natural radiation intensity of radon observed from 'G' islands and its effects against Bacillus pumilus, predominantly found throughout the field survey. The physicochemical properties and microbial characteristics were simultaneously investigated and compared. From these studies, it was confirmed that the areal distribution of radon concentration varied from 920 Bq/m3 to 3367 Bq/m3 depending on the soil depth, lithology, or geophysicochemical properties (including pH, moisture content, and grain size) inherently subject to each location. Particularly, the slightly acidic (pH < 6) and low-fertility soil with a higher level of radon concentration exceeding 3000 Bq/m3 had a considerably low level of bacterial density. In contrast, the fertile soil of a relatively middle level of radon radioactivity revealed a much larger bacterial community density, dominated by Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas sp., Paenarthrobacter sp., and Microbacterium sp. Furthermore, the monitored metabolic activity and growth of Bacillus pumilus against the various radon exposure conditions clearly indicated that radon could be considered as the potential ecological risk to natural environmental habitats of microbial soil biota.

Kinetics of uranium(VI) lability and solubility in aerobic soils.

Uranium may pose a hazard to ecosystems and human health due to its chemotoxic and radiotoxic properties. The long half-life of many U isotopes and their ability to migrate raise concerns over disposal of radioactive wastes. This work examines the long-term U bioavailability in aerobic soils following direct deposition or transport to the surface and addresses two questions: (i) to what extent do soil properties control the kinetics of U speciation changes in soils and (ii) over what experimental timescales must U reaction kinetics be measured to reliably predict long-term of impact in the terrestrial environment? Soil microcosms spiked with soluble uranyl were incubated for 1.7 years. Changes in UVI fractionation were periodically monitored by soil extractions and isotopic dilution techniques, shedding light on the binding strength of uranyl onto the solid phase. Uranyl sorption was rapid and strongly buffered by soil Fe oxides, but UVI remained reversibly held and geochemically reactive. The pool of uranyl species able to replenish the soil solution through several equilibrium reactions is substantially larger than might be anticipated from typical chemical extractions and remarkably similar across different soils despite contrasting soil properties. Modelled kinetic parameters indicate that labile UVI declines very slowly, suggesting that the processes and transformations transferring uranyl to an intractable sink progress at a slow rate regardless of soil characteristics. This is of relevance in the context of radioecological assessments, given that soil solution is the key reservoir for plant uptake.

Quantification of U, Th and specific radionuclides in coal from selected coal fired power plants in South Africa.

Most of South Africa's energy is derived from the combustion of coal in pulverized coal-fired power plants (CFPP). However, when compared with the rest of the world, limited information regarding the main radioactive elements (U and Th) and specific radionuclides of interest (K40, Ra226 and Th232) from South African CFPP is available in the public domain. This paper aims to quantify the U, Th and specific radionuclides found in the coal used in selected South African CFPP in comparison to world averages found in literature. The U and Th concentrations were obtained by ICP-MS. The main radionuclides, K40, Ra226 and Th238, were quantified using gamma spectrometry. The U concentration and Th concentrations for the coal used in all the power plants was above the world average of 1.9 mg/kg and 3.2 mg/kg respectively. The coals with the highest Th content originated from the Mpumalanga power plant, while the U content in the Freestate power plant samples was the highest of the three. The concentrations of the K40 were between 88.43±10.75-110.76±8.92 Bq/kg, which are in-line with world averages of 4-785 Bq/kg. Similarly, the Ra226 and Th232 values were between 21.69±2.83-52.63±4.04 Bq/kg and 19.91±1.24-22.97±1.75 Bq/kg respectively, which are also in line with the world averages of 1-206 Bq/kg and 1-170 Bq/kg respectively. Radiological hazard indices such as radium equivalent (Raeq); external hazard index (Hex) and internal hazard index (Hin), that were estimated from these average radionuclide concentrations were less than the prescribed values found in literature. This indicated that no significant health risk was posed by the coal being used from these coal fields.

Critical insight and indication on particle size effects towards uranium release from uranium mill tailings: Geochemical and mineralogical aspects.

Uranium (U) is both chemically toxic and radioactive. Uranium mill tailings (UMTs) are one of the most important sources of U contamination in the environment, wherein the mechanisms that control U release from UMTs with different granularities have not yet been well understood. Herein, the release behaviours and underlying release mechanisms of U from UMTs with five different particle size fractions (<0.45, 0.45-0.9, 0.9-2, 2-6 and 6-10 mm) were studied with a well-defined leaching test (ANS 16.1) combined with geochemical and mineralogical characterizations. The results showed that the most remarkable U release unexpectedly emerged from UMT2-6 mm; in contrast, the smallest particle size UMT<0.45 mm contributed to the least U release. The predominant mechanism of U release from UMT2-6 mm was the oxidative dissolution of U-bearing sulfides, while abundant gypsum present in UMT<0.45 mm inhibited U release. The study highlights the importance of combined geochemical and mineralogical investigation when performing leaching tests of mineral-containing hazardous materials such as UMTs with consideration of particle size effects. The findings also indicate that elevating the content of gypsum and avoiding the oxidation of sulfides can effectively help immobilize and minimize the residual U release from the UMTs.

Determination of distribution coefficient of uranium from physical and chemical properties of soil.

Uranium is a long lived radioactive element which is naturally present in minute concentrations in igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. These rocks when subjected to weathering results in the formation of soil which also has traces of uranium. Distribution coefficient (Kd) is a crucial parameter in environmental assessment which is used to predict the interaction and transport of uranium in groundwater. The objective of the study is to estimate the Kd of uranium in soils and to develop a relation between this and the soil parameters. Seven rock samples and twenty three soil samples were collected during this study. The Kd of rock samples of different grain sizes where determined and the soil samples were analysed for electrical conductivity, pH, grain size, bulk density, particle density, porosity, calcium carbonate, cation exchange capacity and Kd. The Kd of the soil increases with increase in soil pH up to 6, after which it gradually decreases. Multiple regression analysis was performed to quantify the effect of various soil parameters on soil Kd and equations were statistically significant. Thus, soil Kd in a region could be predicted using limited soil properties with such statistically significant equations.

Effect of DTPA on europium sorption onto quartz - Batch sorption experiments and surface complexation modeling.

Sorption of radionuclides on mineral surfaces retards their migration in the environment of a repository. Presence of organic ligands, however, affects sorption and consequently influences their transport behavior. In this study, we quantify the sorption of Eu(III) onto quartz surfaces as a function of pH in the absence and presence of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA). Batch sorption experiments show a pH-dependent sorption of Eu(III) on quartz. The presence of DTPA results in slightly higher sorption of Eu(III) at neutral to slightly acidic pH and considerably lower sorption at alkaline conditions. Sorption experiments were simulated using the Diffuse Double Layer Model (DDLM) with single sorption sites (≡QOH) and monodentate surface complexation. The reactions were established based on the aqueous speciation calculation under the experimental conditions, and the thermodynamic constants of surface reactions were obtained and refined by numerical optimization. Results of surface complexation modeling show the formation of a surface species ≡QOHEuDTPA2-, explaining the elevated sorption of Eu(III) at neutral to slightly acidic pH. In contrast, dissolved EuDTPA2- complex species are present at alkaline pH, resulting in an enhanced mobility of Eu(III).

Uranium sequestration in sediment at an iron-rich contaminated site at Oak Ridge, Tennessee via. bioreduction followed by reoxidation.

This study evaluated uranium sequestration performance in iron-rich (30 g/kg) sediment via bioreduction followed by reoxidation. Field tests (1383 days) at Oak Ridge, Tennessee demonstrated that uranium contents in sediments increased after bioreduced sediments were re-exposed to nitrate and oxygen in contaminated groundwater. Bioreduction of contaminated sediments (1200 mg/kg U) with ethanol in microcosm reduced aqueous U from 0.37 to 0.023 mg/L. Aliquots of the bioreduced sediment were reoxidized with O2, H2O2, and NaNO3, respectively, over 285 days, resulting in aqueous U of 0.024, 1.58 and 14.4 mg/L at pH 6.30, 6.63 and 7.62, respectively. The source- and the three reoxidized sediments showed different desorption and adsorption behaviors of U, but all fit a Freundlich model. The adsorption capacities increased sharply at pH 4.5 to 5.5, plateaued at pH 5.5 to 7.0, then decreased sharply as pH increased from 7.0 to 8.0. The O2-reoxidized sediment retained a lower desorption efficiency at pH over 6.0. The NO3--reoxidized sediment exhibited higher adsorption capacity at pH 5.5 to 6.0. The pH-dependent adsorption onto Fe(III) oxides and formation of U coated particles and precipitates resulted in U sequestration, and bioreduction followed by reoxidation can enhance the U sequestration in sediment.

Assessment of radionuclide transfer factors and transfer coefficients near phosphate industrial areas of South Tunisia.

The activity concentrations of naturally occurring and anthropogenic radionuclides in agriculture soils as well as in several food products at four locations within the phosphate area of South Tunisia were investigated. Soil-to-plant transfer factors as well as feed-to-animal products transfer coefficients were determined for the first time for the region. Activity concentrations of 40K, 210Pb, 226Ra, 228Ra and 137Cs in soils of agriculture fields were lower than worldwide average values. The soil-to-plant transfer factors (TFs) for 40K in leafy vegetables were higher than those in fruit vegetables. Soil-to-grass transfer factor (Fv) values were in the following order: 40K > 210Pb > 226Ra. The grass-to-milk transfer coefficient (Fm) values for 40K and 210Pb ranged between 2 × 10-3 and 4 × 10-3(day L-1). The concentration ratios for the animal products (CRmilk-feed, CRmeat-feed and CRegg-feed) varied in the ranges of 2 × 10-2-4 × 10-2 L kg-1, 1 × 10-2-2 × 10-1 (L kg-1) and 5 × 10-2-1 (L kg-1)for 40K, 210Pb and 226Ra, respectively. Transfer parameters determined in the present study were compared with those reported in International Atomic Energy Agency reports and other published values. The absorbed gamma dose rate in air and the external hazard index associated with these natural radionuclides were computed to assess the radiation hazard of radioactivity in this region, and the results indicated that these areas are within set safety limits.

Experimental study of the effect of water level and wind speed on radon exhalation of uranium tailings from heap leaching uranium mines.

Water level and wind speed have important influences on radon release in particle-packing emanation media. Based on radon migration theory in porous media under three water level conditions, an experimental setup was designed to measure the surface radon exhalation rate of uranium tailings from heap leaching uranium mine at different water levels and wind speeds. When the water level was at 0.3 m (overlying depth 0.05 m), radon transfer velocities at the gas-liquid interface were also measured at different wind speeds. Results show that when the water level was equal to or lower than the surface of the sample, the radon exhalation rate increased with increasing wind speed and decreased with increasing water level. When the water level was higher than the surface of the sample, radon exhalation rate of the water surface increased with increasing surface wind speed. The wind speed, however, was less influential on the radon exhalation rate as the depth of the overlying water increased, with a dramatic decrease in radon release. That said, at different wind speeds, radon transfer velocities at the gas-liquid interface were consistent with literature. On the other hand, changes in wind speed had significant influences on the radon transfer velocity at the gas-liquid interface, with the effect less pronounced at higher wind speeds.

Large-scale experimental investigations of specified granular fill materials for radon mitigation by active and passive soil depressurisations.

A series of large-scale experimental tests were performed to examine the flow behaviour of the T1 Struc and T2 Perm specified granular fill materials with active and passive depressurisations. Granular materials were compacted and tested at various compacted thicknesses. Compaction works were performed using a field compactor and compaction degrees of the materials were found to be higher than those induced by a standardised small-scale compactor. The air permeability (kah) values of the materials were obtained with active depressurisation. It was found that the overall trend of kah tended to decrease with the increase in the compacted thickness of the materials and were found to be compatible with those determined by the small-scale test apparatus. Results from passive depressurisation tests indicated that the rotating cowls performed the best, followed by a static open pipe and a pipe with a cap.

A new perspective on the 137Cs retention mechanism in surface soils during the early stage after the Fukushima nuclear accident.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident caused serious radiocesium (137Cs) contamination of the soil in multiple terrestrial ecosystems. Soil is a complex system where minerals, organic matter, and microorganisms interact with each other; therefore, an improved understanding of the interactions of 137Cs with these soil constituents is key to accurately assessing the environmental consequences of the accident. Soil samples were collected from field, orchard, and forest sites in July 2011, separated into three soil fractions with different mineral-organic interaction characteristics using a density fractionation method, and then analyzed for 137Cs content, mineral composition, and organic matter content. The results show that 20-71% of the 137Cs was retained in association with relatively mineral-free, particulate organic matter (POM)-dominant fractions in the orchard and forest surface soil layers. Given the physicochemical and mineralogical properties and the 137Cs extractability of the soils, 137Cs incorporation into the complex structure of POM is likely the main mechanism for 137Cs retention in the surface soil layers. Therefore, our results suggest that a significant fraction of 137Cs is not immediately immobilized by clay minerals and remains potentially mobile and bioavailable in surface layers of organic-rich soils.

Effects of zeolite and vermiculite addition on exchangeable radiocaesium in soil with accelerated ageing.

Soil amendments with zeolite and vermiculite were expected to prevent radiocaesium (137Cs) dissolution and uptake from the soil by plants. In this study, we investigated how zeolite and vermiculite added to soil influence the radiocaesium fixation with ageing. Zeolite and vermiculite were mixed with soil (1 wt%) before or after the addition of carrier-free caesium-137 (137Cs) to soils with different radiocaesium interception potential (RIP), which is related to the capacity of the soil to fix trace radiocaesium. Then, the soils were exposed for repeated wet and dry cycles to accelerate 137Cs immobilization, and its extractability by 1 mol L-1 ammonium acetate was determined before and after 30 dry and wet cycles. Before accelerated ageing (i.e before dry and wet cycles), when 137Cs was adsorbed on the soil before the addition of the amendments, the addition of zeolite and vermiculite caused a decrease in the amount of exchangeable 137Cs in low-RIP soils but an increase in the amount of exchangeable 137Cs in high-RIP soils. The amount of exchangeable 137Cs was significantly decreased after accelerated ageing regardless of the application of amendments. However, radiocaesium fixation with accelerated ageing was partly inhibited by the addition of zeolite, regardless of the RIP values. The 137Cs adsorbed on highly selective sites in zeolite is exchangeable by 1 mol L-1 ammonium acetate. Thus, because a portion of the 137Cs is selectively adsorbed on highly selective sites in zeolite, the redistribution of 137Cs to frayed edge site followed by ageing-induced fixation was likely limited. However, when 137Cs was adsorbed on the soil before the addition of the amendments, the addition of zeolite and vermiculite had little influence on the amount of exchangeable 137Cs. In conclusion, the use of realistic doses of zeolite and vermiculite as agricultural amendments is not effective in enhancing the immobilization of radiocaesium in soil.

Sorption of U(VI) onto natural soils and different mineral compositions: The batch method and spectroscopy analysis.

This research studied the sorption behavior of uranium(VI) onto two different kinds of soils: surface soil and undersurface soil that taken from the depth of 30 m undersurface. The soil samples were collected from a low and medium-level radioactive waste disposal site in the southwest of China. The effects of pH, solid-liquid ratio and contact time on the adsorption behavior were studied by batch adsorption method. The experiment results show that the mineral composition of soil and the speciation of U in natural groundwater are two main influencing factors. Muscovite and clinochlore, two of the main minerals of soil samples, dominate the sorption behavior of uranium onto natural soils at weak acidic and near neutral pH range. Under neutral and weak alkaline conditions, the thermodynamic calculation results show that Ca2+ and CO32- have significant influence on the species of uranium in aqueous solution. The U sorption reduced sharply due to the formation of the CaUO2(CO3)32- (aq) complex. This work provides a better insight of the sorption behavior of uranium onto natural soils, and gives an in-depth understanding about the influence of aqueous and surface speciation.

Enhanced radiocesium uptake by rice with fermented bark and ammonium salt amendments.

There are ongoing problems with radioactive cesium (Cs) contaminated agricultural soil after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. In this study, the behavior of Cs uptake by rice plants grown in soil sprayed with fermented bark amendment (FBA) was investigated. In rice cultivation by pot, the application of FBA resulted in the acceleration of Cs uptake by rice plants. This might be related to the reduction of oxidation reduction potential in the soil caused by spraying FBA. Also, when 0.1 wt% ammonium sulfate was used as a fertilizer in Cs-contaminated soil, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of Cs taken up into rice straw was 1.4-times higher than that in soil sprayed with FBA. The Cs uptake effect was further enhanced by the combination of 1 wt% FBA with 0.1 wt% ammonium sulfate to soil where the BCF was enhanced to 1.8-times higher than that in soil sprayed with FBA alone. The enhanced uptake into rice was likely because of accelerated uptake of leachable forms of Cs based on the cation-exchange to NH4+ in soil; this was confirmed by the Cs fractionation by sequential extraction procedures. The phytoremediation capability of rice is considered to be lower than that of commonly used phytoremediation plants, but supplementation with FBA and ammonium salt could enhance Cs accumulation even for low-efficiency phytoremediation plants.

Behavior of 36Cl in agricultural soil-plant systems: A review of transfer processes and modelling approaches.

This article aims to review up-to-date knowledge and data acquired on 36Cl transfers to terrestrial soil-plant systems, evaluate the existing modelling approaches and identify priorities for future model improvements. This update has revealed the existence of fairly recent studies, whose results could be used for improving the modelling approaches which have been developed over the last decade. The priority areas include the consideration of the dry deposition process and the transfer of both gaseous and aerosol 36Cl to plants. The consideration of secondary processes such as the synthesis/mineralization of organochlorines and plant biomass litterfall is not recognized as a priority issue when assessing the impact of gaseous discharges. It was also identified that additional experimental studies had to be conducted to improve the understanding of the processes governing stable Cl and 36Cl dynamics in other terrestrial ecosystems (field crops, vegetables, grass) than forest environments on which most of the reported knowledge and data are reviewed.

Assessment of natural radionuclides mobility in a phosphogypsum disposal area.

The phosphogypsum (PG) stacks located at Huelva (SW Spain) store about 100 Mt of PG, and covers a surface of 1000 ha. It has been very well established in many studies that this waste contains significant U-series radionuclides concentrations, with average activity concentrations rounding the 650, 600, 400 and 100 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, 210Po, 230Th and 238U, respectively. However, the radionuclide transfer from this repository into the environment by the aquatic pathway will depend on the mobility of each radionuclide. The mobility of the natural radionuclides (U-isotopes, Th-isotopes, 226Ra, and 210Po) contained in the PG piles were evaluated by using the optimized BCR sequential extraction procedure (BCR "Community Bureau of Reference"). The radionuclides were measured in the liquid fractions by alpha-particle spectrometry with semiconductor PIPS detectors. In addition, to validate the obtained results, waters from different locations of the PG piles (pore-water, perimeter channel and edge outflow leachates) were taken and the alpha emitter radionuclides determined. Uranium presents the highest mobility, being its total mobile fraction in the PG around 70%, while 210Po and 226Ra present an intermediate mobility of (around 50% and 30%, respectively). And finally, the Th-isotopes have very low mobility (mobile fraction < 5%), being fixed to the residual fraction. It is noteworthy that this behaviour has been also found in the water samples taken from the stacks, demonstrating that this sequential leaching operational methodology is a useful tool for assessing the release capacity of radionuclides by inorganic wastes.