SORPTION AND DESORPTION OF THORIUM FROM AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS BY MONTMORILLONITE

The sorption and desorption of thorium on a West Anatolian montmorillo nite has been studied by application of a batch technique. Experimenta l procedures are outlined and results for thorium contacted with montm orillonite are reported and discussed. The thorium concentration range was between 200-4000 ppm (8.5x1(-4) - 1.7x10(-2)M). The sorption and desorption coefficients varied between 1.586-0.216 ml g(-1) and 0.829- 0.168 ml g(-1), respectively, and sorption was not fully reversible. T he data could be fitted to Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The quan tity of the sorbed thorium was much lower than its theoretical CEC. Th is was attributed to a blocking of montmorillonite's CEC by thorium is lands in the interlayer.