35 The Fate and Removal of Radioactive Iodine in the Aquatic Environment Downloaded by UCSF LIB CKM RSCS MGMT on September 4, 2014 | http://pubs.acs.org Publication Date: December 15, 1988 | doi: 10.1021/ba-1988-0219.ch035
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R. Scott Summers , Friedrich Fuchs, and Heinrich Sontheimer Engler-Bunte-Institut, Universität Karlsruhe, 7500 Karlsruhe, Federal Republic of Germany
The reaction of iodine with aquatic humic substances (HS) and the subsequent removal of the products by typical drinking-water-treatment processes was investigated. Both iodine and iodide react completely with isolated HS in the concentration range below 0.03 mg of I per mg of HS and behave similarly with Rhine River water. The reaction is independent of pH, initial HS concentration, and HS molecular size. However, at higherI-HSratios iodine reacts slightly more than iodide. Kinetic studies indicate that the reaction is complete within 10 min. No interaction was found between methyl iodide and HS. Flocculation and activated-carbon (AC) adsorption were effective for the removal of the I-HS complex, and the dissolved organic carbon measurement served as a good surrogate parameter. Volatilization and AC adsorption were effective for methyl iodide removal.
/JLFTER A N UCLEAR REACTOR ACCIDENT the
release of radionuclides poses a problem for drinking-water-treatment facilities using surface waters as their raw water source. A recent nuclear power plant accident resulted in high levels of radioactivity in the environment throughout Europe, as shown in Table I for the Federal Republic of Germany. The highest activity levels occurred in the southern part of the country where, fortunately, 95% of the potable water originates from ground-water aquifers that were not directly contaminated. However, for communities that use surface waters, an un1Current address: Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, O H 45221-0071 0065-2393/89/0219-0623$06.00/0 © 1989 American Chemical Society
In Aquatic Humic Substances; Suffet, I., et al.; Advances in Chemistry; American Chemical Society: Washington, DC, 1988.
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AQUATIC H U M I C SUBSTANCES
Table I. Radioactivity Levels in the Federal Republic of Germany after the Chernobyl Accident Main Maximum Reported Activity Component Source 1-131 150 Air (Bq/m ) 1-131 280,000 Ground (Bq/m ) Aqueous (Bq/L) Rain 35,000 1-132 or 1-131 1-131 370 River 1-131 570 Reservoir Ground
