Uptake of Cm (III) and Eu (III) by C–S–H phases under saline conditions in presence of EDTA: A batch sorption and TRLFS study

Eu (III) and Cm (III) uptake by calcium silicate hydrate phases (C–S–H) was investigated in presence of EDTA in NaCl and CaCl₂ solutions. Different experimental parameters, i.e., ionic strength (0.1 m ≤ I_'m ≤ 5.05 m), ligand concentration (10⁻⁵ m ≤ [EDTA] ≤ 10⁻² m), calcium-to-silicon ratio (0.6 ≤ C/S ≤ 1.3) and sorption time (7 d ≤ t ≤ 365 d) were varied in the frame of batch sorption experiments and Time Resolved Laser Fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) measurements. No effect of EDTA on the retention of Eu(III)/Cm(III) by C–S–H phases in NaCl or CaCl₂ systems was observed at ligand concentrations ≤ 10⁻³ M. In NaCl solutions with [EDTA] = 10⁻² M and C/S < 1.3, low retention (log R_d = 2–3, with R_d in L∙kg⁻¹) of Eu(III) was detected after 7 d of sorption time, while strong retention (log R_d = 5–6) was observed after 50 d. This behaviour was explained by the initial stabilization of Eu(III)/Cm(III) in the aqueous phase due to the formation of two aqueous Eu(III)/Cm(III)-(OH)_n-EDTA complexes, followed by the slow incorporation of Eu(III)/Cm(III) into the C–S–H structure. In CaCl₂ solutions for all C/S ratios, as well as in NaCl solutions for C/S ∼ 1.3, the presence of [EDTA] = 10⁻² M led to a significant decrease of the uptake (log R_d = 2–3) after 7 and 50 d of contact time. This effect was explained by the formation of stable aqueous Ca–Eu(III)/Cm(III)-EDTA complexes triggered by the presence of moderate to high Ca concentrations. No evident effect caused by increased ionic strength conditions could be confirmed in our sorption experiments.

Results obtained in batch sorption experiments are underpinned by TRLFS data, with the observation of three main aqueous species, tentatively defined as Cm(OH)(EDTA)^2-, Cm(OH)_x (EDTA)^-(x+1) and Ca–Cm(III)-EDTA, as well as a fourth species corresponding to Cm(III) incorporated in the CaO-layer of the C–S–H phases. In spite of the thermodynamic stability of the CaEDTA²⁻ complex, which reduces the concentration of free EDTA, the formation of ternary Ca–Eu(III)/Cm(III)-EDTA complexes is expected to result in a significant impact of EDTA on the uptake of An (III)/Ln (III) by cement at high ligand concentrations. The assumption that Ca outcompetes actinides for the complexation with EDTA in cementitious systems may need to be revisited under these conditions.