Ion-exchange behavior of actinides in acetic acid solutions

The distribution coefficients of Th, Pa, U, Np, Pu, Am, Cm, Cf, and Eu betw een ion-exchange resins (Dowex-50 x 8 cation exchanger and Dowex-1 x 8 anio n exchanger) and acetic acid solutions were determined as function of CH3CO OH concentration. The cation exchangers allow the sorption concentration of actinides from acetic acid solutions in a wide range of CH3COOH concentrat ion (0.1-10 M). At the same time anion exchangers concentrate actinides onl y from acetic acid solutions with the CH3COOH concentration exceeding 17 M. A cation-exchange method was developed for sorption concentration of actin ides from acetic acid solutions followed by selective elution of them with solutions of mineral acids. The problems were analyzed concerning the compl exation of actinides in acetic acid solutions and the possibility of format ion of mobile forms of actinides in ecosystems containing low amounts of ac etate anions of microbiological and industrial origin.