Influence of Salinity on Strontium Adsorption in Soil Types Typical to the Surrounding of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between salinity and the adsorption of Strontium (Sr) in soils surrounding the Barakah Nuclear Power Plants in the United Arab Emirates by focusing on the unique predominant sabkha environments in the region with shallow coastal flats rich in salt flats and salt-tolerant vegetation, significantly influencing soil composition and geochemical properties of the surrounding soil.

The importance of this research lies in understanding how salinity gradients impact the adsorption behavior of Sr in soils, particularly in arid and semi-arid climates like those around the Barakah Nuclear Power Plants. Sabkhas, with their dynamic interplay between saltwater intrusion and freshwater input, present a complex environment where factors like salinity, pH, and mineral composition play crucial roles in radionuclide adsorption processes. The study aims to investigate these complexities to provide insights for risk assessment, environmental management, and regulatory decision-making in the context of nuclear energy development in Sabkha-rich coastal regions.

By investigating the influence of salinity on Sr adsorption in sabkha soils, this research seeks to fill knowledge gaps regarding the fate and transport of radionuclides in these unique environments. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of Sr²⁺ adsorption in calcareous sand and gypsum soils under increasing salinity through integrating batch and column experiments, addressing a critical gap in radionuclide mobility research in arid environments while highlighting the ion exchange mechanisms in gypsum- and carbonate-dominated matrices. It establishes a realistic investigation of Sr²⁺ desorption behavior, essential for groundwater contamination risk assessments in high-salinity regions.

The findings are expected to contribute to a better understanding of the interactions between radionuclides and soil components in saline environments, offering valuable information for environmental protection and nuclear safety measures in similar ecological landscapes.

Date of Award	7 May 2025
Original language	American English
Supervisor	FRANCOIS Foulon (Supervisor)