Radiation chemical effects on radiochemistry: A review of examples important to nuclear power

Radiochemistry deals with the chemistry of the radioactive elements. In the nuclear industry successful fuel reprocessing, high-level waste treatment, and long-term storage of spent fuel depend on an understanding of the radiochemistry of actinides and fission products in these settings. Radiation chemistry is concerned with the chemical effects of ionizing radiation, with the most common types of radiation encountered by the radiochemist being low linear energy transfer (LET) beta(-) and gamma radiation, and higher LET alpha, radiation. These radiations can have profound and important effects on radiochemistry, including changes in metal oxidation states and degradation of the organic ligands designed to complex radioelements. This may occur by direct action of the incident radiation on compounds present with high abundance or by reaction with radiolytically produced reactive species for trace components, such as the complexing agents. This review examines the role of reactive species created in irradiated aqueous and organic solution and their effects on radiochemistry. The sources and nature of these reactive species are discussed. Examples of radiation chemical effects are provided related to solvent extraction of the actinides from acidic solution, metal complexation and technetium redox chemistry in alkaline tank waste, and the corrosion of spent fuel stored in repository brine.