Research Program to Investigate the Fundamental Chemistry of Technetium

Edelstein, Norman M. ; Burns, Carol J. ; Shuh, David K. ; Lukens, Wayne

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

关键词: Research Programs;    12 Management Of Radioactive Wastes, And Non-Radioactive Wastes From Nuclear Facilities;    Half-Life;    37 Inorganic, Organic, Physical And Analytical Chemistry;    Radioactive Wastes;   

DOI  :  10.2172/829922
RP-ID  :  EMSP-60296--2000
RP-ID  :  829922

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

Technetium (99Tc, half-life = 2.13x105 years, b-emitter) is one of the radionuclides of major concern for nuclear waste disposal. This concern is due to the long half-life of 99Tc, the ease with which pertechnetate, TcO4 -, migrates in the geosphere, and the corresponding regulatory considerations. The problem of mobility of pertechnetate in the environment is compounded by the fact that pertechnetate is the thermodynamically stable form of technetium in oxidizing environments. Because of this stability, pertechnetate was presumed to be the predominant chemical form of technetium in the aqueous phase of nuclear waste tanks. However, recent studies indicate that a significant fraction of the technetium is in a different chemical form.1,2 These factors present challenges the disposition of technetium.