Researching of tritium speciation in soils of "Balapan" site

Highlights: • In this article we propose a method of phase definitions of the various forms of ³H in the soil. • Detailed consideration of the alleged speciation of ³H in the soil. • We investigated the distribution of speciation of ³H and in the soils of radiation-dangerous objects. • Revealed that the distribution of speciation form of ³H associated with the mechanism of formation of ³H in the study object. - Abstract: Speciation of tritium (³H) in soils from the "Balapan" site in Semipalatinsk are presented in this study. Three interrelated objects were chosen for further study: "Atomic" lake, the Shagan River and an external reservoir. The main speciation forms of ³H in soil were: ³H in surface-adsorbed water, ³H in interlayer water, hydroxylic ³H, organically bound ³H and crystalline-bound ³H. Results will allow an estimation of contamination mechanism to be made, and will also allow the potential for migration and bioavailability of ³Hto be assessed.