Development of removal method for radioactive elements by coprecipitation with barite (BaSO)

Tokunaga, Kohei; Kozai, Naofumi; Takahashi, Yoshio*; Ohara, Yoshiyuki

no journal, , 

In the present study, we explore a new application of barite (BaSO)) as a sequestering phase for selenite (Se(IV)) and selenate (Se(VI)) ions from aqueous solutions. Barite is a common phase in many geological environments, and it can be used to remove toxic and/or radioactive elements from aqueous solutions, but it has not been widely used in environmental studies. This study describes the mechanisms of Se distribution between barite and water, thus providing a good estimate of its ability to effectively remove Se(IV) and Se(VI) from aqueous solutions (more than 80%) using the optimized experimental parameters examined here.