Uptake of Radionuclides (60)Co, (137)Cs, and (90)Sr with α-Fe(2)O(3) and Fe(3)O(4) Particles from Aqueous Environment

In the paper, investigation results of the uptake efficiency of radionuclides (60)Co, (90)Sr, and (137)Cs dissolved in water onto iron oxides α-Fe(2)O(3) and Fe(3)O(4) are presented. It was found that sorption efficiency increased for higher pH values. Independent of the oxide nature, the uptake characteristics are the best toward (60)Co and the worst toward (137)Cs, forming the row as follows: (60)Co > (90)Sr > (137)Cs. The highest sorption ability at pH 9 was found for magnetite Fe(3)O(4), which was 93%, 73%, and 26% toward (60)Co, (90)Sr, and (137)Cs, respectively, while the respective percentages for hematite α-Fe(2)O(3) were 85%, 41%, and 18%. It was assumed that the main sorption mechanism was ion exchange. That may explain some decrease of the sorption efficiency in drinking water due to the interfering presence of magnesium and calcium cations. The obtained results indicated the feasibility of the tested sorbents and their merits, especially in terms of relatively high uptake coefficients, low costs, availability, and lack of toxicity.