The effect of ionic strength on the diffusion of 125I in Gaomiaozi bentonite

The diffusion of 125I- in compacted Gaomiaozi (GMZ) bentonite was investigated by capillary in-diffusion method. Apparent and effective diffusion coefficients and accessible porosity of iodide in GMZ bentonite were obtained, and the effect of ionic strength on diffusion parameters was studied. The apparent diffusion coefficients of iodide in compacted GMZ bentonite are in the range of 1.0-6.0 x 10-10 m2 s-1 under the conditions of dry bulk density 1,500 kg m-3 and temperature 298 K, and increase with increasing ionic strength. This effect was explained through the analysis of microscopic structure of compacted bentonite. The iodide can only diffuse in unbound interparticle pore solution of compacted bentonite. The apparent diffusion coefficient is a function of accessible porosity which is decided by the thickness of diffusion double layer, and the thickness is in turn controlled by ionic strength. (author)