Determination of Trace Nd Species in Water using Laser-Induced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy

Accurate determination of stability constants for actinides is necessary for prediction of transport properties of nuclear waste. Since solubilities are generally low, these stability constants must be determined in dilute solution. We have used cw and pulsed laser-induced photoacoustic spectroscopy to study trace neodymium (III) in water and in aqueous carbonate media; the coordination chemistry of Nd(III) is similar to that of many actinide species, so that Nd(III) is a good model system.