Treatment of Depleted Uranium Contamination in Soil by Using Sodium Bicarbonate Solution

Abstract

The Depleted Uranium contamination in soil was treated with chemical leaching method by using sodium bicarbonate with respect to the effect of several variables (Time, Temperature, Bicarbonate Concentration, Carbonate/Bicarbonate Ratio, Oxidative Reagent Effect, pH, Soil/Solution Ratio and Rinsing Effect after treatment) in order to decontaminate or remove Depleted Uranium to acceptable regulatory levels.The objective is to reach a selectively extracted Depleted Uranium by using a soil washing/extraction without generating a secondary waste which would be difficult to manage and/or dispose off. Results of Depleted Uranium removal efficiency were ranged from (35.4-88.25) %.