12C-RBS investigation of scolecite crystals interacted with Cs- and Sr-aqueous solutions

Crystals of the natural fibrous zeolite scolecite were exposed to cesium and strontium aqueous solutions at room temperature. The reacted mineral crystals were investigated by means of 12C-RBS using the 4.5 MV Tandem accelerator of the NRCPS ''Demokritos''/GR. The 12C-RBS spectra indicated an inhomogeneous depth distribution of the sorbed elements on the scolecite and particularly a remarkable metal accumulation in the near-surface layers of the material. This phenomenon is more intense in the case of strontium assigned to its bulkier hydrated cations and the structural characteristics of the zeolite. The results of this work can contribute to the understanding of problems related to the treatment of nuclear wastes using zeolitic materials and to their disposal in zeolite-containing geologic formations. (orig.)