Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2011
Experiments based on a modified MCC-3S test method were conducted to investigate the solubility of U(VI) hydroxide (the mineral schoepite) and Np(IV) hydrous oxide at ambient temperature. The solubility of U(VI) hydroxide was investigated in carbonate-free, oxidizing aqueous solutions in the pH range of 3 to 11. The measured concentrations of dissolved U confirm the amphoteric behavior of U(VI) hydroxide solid and the importance of anionic U(VI) hydroxyl complexes in accurately calculating the solubilities of U(VI) solids under basic pH conditions. The effect of fluoride complexation on the solubility of Np(IV) hydrous oxide was studied in carbonatefree, near-neutral to alkaline solutions that contained 100 ppm total F. For solutions in which sodium dithionite (Na2 S2O4) and metallic Fe were used as reducing agents, the addition of 100 ppm F had no measurable effect on the solubility of Np(IV) hydrous oxide.