Estimation of distribution coefficient of radium around a uranium mining site

The present study provides an estimation of the site-specific distribution coefficient for radium around a uranium mining site. The soil parameters which affect the Kd value of radium were also estimated. For the estimation of the distribution coefficient of radium the equilibration time was optimized. The distribution coefficient of radium was determined using the laboratory batch method. The distribution coefficient of radium varies from 796 ± 9 mL g-1 to 2,285 ± 52 mL g-1. Kd values of radium were observed to be higher for one-meter-depth soil samples compared with top soil samples in all the sampling locations. It was found that the Kd of radium strongly depends on different soil parameters such as pH, organic matter (OM) and cation exchange capacity (CEC). With increasing soil pH, OM and CEC, the Kd of radium increases linearly.