Identification and characterization of phase governing Eu(III) uptake in granite by microscopic observations

Hasegawa, Yusuke*; Fukushi, Keisuke*; Maeda, Koshi*; Yamamoto, Yuhei; Aosai, Daisuke; Mizuno, Takashi   

Sorption behaviors of trace elements on single mineral surfaces have been extensively studied. However, there have been very few researches for the trace elements sorption on complex mineral assemblages such as rocks, sediments and soils. In the present study, the sorption of trace level of Eu(III) on complex mineral assemblages, slightly altered granite, as function of pH was studied by microscopic approaches. As the result, we concluded that biotite is most important phase governing Eu(III) uptake on the granite. The uptake mode of Eu on biotite is ion-exchange of K in biotite and Eu(III) in solution.