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Americium Sorption by Microplastics in Aqueous Solutions
Summary
Researchers investigated americium sorption by polyamide and polyethylene microplastics in both deionized water and seawater, tracing interactions with Am-241 isotope and examining the effects of pH and solution composition on sorption efficiency over time. The study found that microplastic type and aqueous matrix composition significantly influenced radionuclide uptake, with implications for the transport of radioactive contaminants in marine environments.
The interaction of americium by polyamide (PN6) and polyethylene (PE) microplastics (MPs) has been investigated in de-ionized and seawater samples traced with the Am-241 isotope. The effect of the pH and composition of the aqueous solution (seawater) on the sorption efficiency (Kd) have been studied as function of time. In addition, the americium sorption using radionuclide mixtures (e.g., Am-241 and U-232) and its desorption in the presence of EDTA was investigated by means of bath-type experiments. The experimental data (e.g., Kd values) revealed that the sorption efficiency depends on the MP type and the pH that governs the Am(III) speciation in the solution, and the PN6 surface charge determines the sorption efficiency. Moreover, the desorption of Am(III) from MPs is a time-depended process, and the presence of complexing agents (e.g., EDTA) enhances the desorption efficiency. The Kd values in the studied water samples were relatively close to one another and similar to corresponding values in soil systems, indicating the significant role of microplastics on the behavior of americium in natural aquatic systems.