Desorption technologies for remediation of cesium-contaminated soils: a short review

This review summarizes the mechanisms for desorbing and extracting cesium (Cs⁺) from clay minerals and soil. Most techniques use ion exchange with acids, cations, polymers, and surfactants. Some improve desorption of Cs⁺ from clay minerals, while surfactants and polymers expand the interlayer. Mixtures of acids/polymers, acids/surfactants, cations/polymers, and cations/surfactants are therefore more effective agents for desorption of Cs⁺ from clay minerals. Hydrothermal treatment plays a role similar to that of polymers and surfactants in expanding the interlayer of clay minerals. The primary desorption mechanism expands the interlayer and desorbs Cs⁺, but multiple sequential extractions based on these techniques can more effectively desorb Cs⁺ from clay minerals and field-contaminated soils. Desorption techniques for Cs⁺ based on multiple sequential extractions can reportedly achieve an efficiency greater than 90%, and such approaches are likely to be important technologies for remediation of Cs⁺-contaminated soils and industrial accident sites, as well as the dismantling of nuclear power plants.