S. Akyil

Sorption of uranium(VI) from aqueous solutions by akaganeite

Removal of U(VI) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated using synthetic akaganeite-type nanocrystals. Nanocrystals of iron oxyhydroxides were synthesized with two different methods and then compared their adsorption capacities. Akaganeite (beta-FeOOH) was synthesized in the laboratory by precipitation from aqueous solution of Fe(III) chloride and different precipitating agents. The relative importance of test parameters like solution pH, contact time, temperature and concentration of adsorbate on adsorption performance of akaganeite for U(VI) ion were studied. Typical adsorption isotherms (Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Raduskevich) were determined for the mechanism of sorption process. Also the thermodynamic constants (DeltaH degrees , DeltaS degrees and DeltaG degrees ) were calculated. The product materials were examined by powder X-ray diffraction for crystalline phase identification and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Adsorption and thermodynamic behavior of uranium on natural zeolite

Adsorptive behavior of natural clinoptilolite-rich zeolite from Balikesir deposites in Turkey was assessed for the removal of uranium from aqueous solutions. The uranium uptake and cation exchange capacities of zeolite were determined. The effect of initial uranium concentrations in solution was studied in detail at the optimum conditions determined before (pH 2.0, contact time: 60 minutes, temperature: 20 °C). The uptake equilibrium is best described by Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Some thermodynamic parameters (ΔH°, ΔS°, ΔG°) of the adsorption system were also determined. Application to fixation of uranium to zeolite was performed. The uptake of uranium complex on zeolite followed Langmuir adsorption isotherm for the initial concentration (25 to 100 µg/ml). Thermodynamic values of ΔG°, ΔS° and ΔH° found show the spontaneous and exothermic nature of the process of uranium ions uptake by natural zeolite.

Sorption characteristics of uranium onto composite ion exchangers

The composite ion exchangers were tested for their ability to remove UO22+ from aqueous solutions. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) composites having natural zeolite, clinoptilolite, and synthetic zeolite, zeolite X, were used as an adsorbents. The influences of pH, U(VI) concentration, temperature and contact time on the sorption behavior of U(VI) were investigated in order to gain a macroscopic understanding of the sorption mechanism. The optimum adsorption conditions were determined for two composites. The sorption behaviors of uranium on both composites from aqueous systems have been studied by batch technique. Parameters on desorption were also investigated to recover the adsorbed uranium.

Removal of uranium from aqueous solutions by diatomite (Kieselguhr)

In this study, the removal of uranium from aqueous solutions by diatomite earth (Kieselguhr) fine particules has been investigated. Diatomite earth is an important adsorbent material in chromatographic studies. Uranium adsorption capacity of four different types of diatomite was determined. The adsorption of uranium on the chosen diatomite sample was examined as a function of uranium concentration, solution pH, contact time and temperature. The adsorption of uranium on diatomite followed a Langmuir-type isotherm.

Distribution of uranium on zeolite X and investigation of thermodynamic parameters for this system

Abstract The sorption of U(VI) from aqueous solutions on zeolite X has been studied by a batch technique. Distribution coefficients ( K d ) were determined for sorption systems as a function of sorbate concentration, pH, contact time and temperature. The sorption isotherm was formed according to the Langmuir isotherm. Thermodynamic parameters have been determined at different temperatures. The Δ H ° values for U(VI) on zeolite X were −29.5147 kJ mol −1 at 313 K at pH 3 and −19.8705 kJ mol −1 at 303 K at pH 9. The sorption of U(VI) on zeolite X is an exothermic in nature. Negative values of Δ G ° show the spontaneous values for U(VI) that become less negative at higher temperatures, which shows that sorption is less favoured at higher temperatures.

Activity concentration of caesium-137 in agricultural soils.

In this study, we measured 137Cs activity concentrations in the soil samples taken from agricultural lands in the Buyuk Menderes Basin in Turkey in 1997 and 1998. The soil samples were collected from 42 sites in this Basin. The activity concentration of 137Cs was found to range between 2.81+/-0.17 Bq.kg(-1) and 20.75+/-0.29 Bq.kg(-1). The effect of organic matter, clay, silt and sand contents and pH of the soil on the relative adsorption of the 137Cs on the soil surface were also studied.

Separation of thorium from aqueous solution using silk fibroin

In this study we investigate the basic features of thorium adsorption from aqueous systems by silk fibroin. Our previous study showed that this biopolymer has high efficiency for U(VI) adsorption. It is well-known that thorium, which is a tetravalent metal, is a more reactive element than uranium. Thorium(IV) adsorption proves to be very rapid and dependent on pH, temperature, retention time, concentration of ion, amount of fibroin, volume of solution and volume-to-mass ratio.

KINETIC STUDIES OF URANIUM(VI) ADSORPTION ON A COMPOSITE ION EXCHANGER

In this paper, we studied the continuous adsorption of uranium on a composite ion exchanger. The experimental study was carried out at optimum conditions of uranium uptake found in the previous study. For these conditions first the adsorption isotherm was determined. This isotherm shows non-linear sorption according to the Langmuir model. Then we investigated uranium adsorption at different time intervals at temperatures of 30°C and 60°C, respectively.

Vertical distribution of 226Ra and 210Po in agricultural soils in Buyuk Menderes Basin, Turkey

The vertical distribution of (226)Ra and (210)Po was investigated in the cultivated soils of the Buyuk Menderes Basin in Turkey. Five soil cores down to a depth of about 50 cm were taken from each site and divided into strata of 2-3 cm intervals. The samples were analyzed for their (226)Ra and (210)Po activity concentrations using radioanalytical methods. Down-core concentration profiles of (226)Ra and (210)Po in the soil cores from five sites are obtained. The activity concentrations of soil cores range from 80 to 1170 Bq kg(-1) for (226)Ra and from 10 to 870 Bq kg(-1) for (210)Po with the depth. Analysis of the vertical soil profiles indicate that the activity concentrations of (226)Ra and (210)Po for soil strata at all the sites have not extremely changed with depth.

Activity concentration of radium-226 in agricultural soils

Fourty two soil samples were collected to a depth of 20 cm from the Aegean Region of Turkey. The activity concentrations of 226Ra in the samples were determined by a radioanalytical method. The radiochemical yield for pure 226Ra was found to be 90.02±2.74%. The average concentration of 226Ra was 0.150 Bq.g-1 and its distribution fitted a normal curve. The average absorbed dose rate was found to be 61 nGy.h-1. The data were evaluated to explain of 226Ra distribution in the agricultural area and compared with other results in the literature.