Radiotracer measurements on transport of trace constituents by flow through granular solids

The behaviour of a trace constituent leached from granular solid waste during its slow percolation by water can be characterized by the specific mass transfer function of leaching with subsequent adsorption, the apparent distribution coefficient and the reversibility and kinetics of a adsorption and desorption. Laboratory radiotracer experiments on net mass transfer and isotopic exchange can supply the necessary data. The radiotracer is introduced as a spike of high specific activity or by radioactivation of the solid. (author)