This paper discusses some recent research work into the sorption of ca
tions both hydrolysable and those that are not, on to a hydrous tin ox
ide and a silica-tin ion exchanger. The ions studied are mostly those
that might be encountered in a radioactive waste streams; such as the
non-hydrolysable ions Sr++ and Cs+, hydrolysable species such as Co+and Eu3+ and complexes such as Ru(NO)(3+). Complete isotherm data have
been generated for some of the ions considered. These can be correlat
ed by a 'Langmuir' isotherm for quite a wide range of solution pH. Fro
m this data the oxide capacity for the ion can be determined. Uptake o
f soluble cationic species always increases with solution pH. However
for most metallic cations the exchangers are able to adsorb anionic sp
ecies by the complex formation at low solution pH. Elution of the ions
with acid and a complexing agent such as EDTA is also considered. Fin
ally 'synergistic effects', when mixtures of cations are contacted wit
h the exchangers are considered.