Current Status And Treatment of Contaminated Soil at Nuclear Facility Sites

Abstract

Soil contamination at nuclear facility sites represents one of the most complex environmental challenges of the nuclear age, encompassing accident-impacted landscapes, legacy defense complexes, and decommissioning nuclear power plants (NPPs). This review evaluates the current status of radionuclide-contaminated soils and critically assesses physical, chemical, biological, and emerging integrated remediation technologies. The environmental behavior of key radionuclides (¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, U, Pu, ⁹⁹Tc, ¹²⁹I) is governed by distinct physicochemical mechanisms that critically influence technology selection. Comparative analysis of case studies from Fukushima Daiichi, Chernobyl, Hanford Site, Savannah River Site, Sellafield Site, and decommissioning projects demonstrates that no remediation strategy is universally optimal. Physical topsoil removal achieved 75–97% radiocesium reduction at Fukushima but generated substantial secondary waste, while in-situ immobilization strategies minimize disturbance but require long-term performance monitoring. Emerging technologies including magnetic nanocomposites and electrokinetic remediation coupled with permeable reactive barriers show promising volume reduction efficiencies of 80–93%. Future progress requires improved source-term characterization, ALARA-based decision frameworks, and field-validated modular treatment trains targeting mobile fractions of ⁹⁰Sr, ⁹⁹Tc, and ¹²⁹I.