Sorption of Strontium Ions from Solutions onto Calcium and Magnesium Phosphates

A comparative study of the uptake of Sr ions from aqueous solutions with calcium and magnesium phosphates of various chemical compositions was made. Calcium and magnesium phosphates in the concentration range 10-5000 mg L-1 absorb up to 280 mg g(-1) Sr, with the ability of magnesium phosphates to take up Sr ions exceeding that of calcium phosphates by an order of magnitude. The degree of decontamination of solutions from Sr-90 with the magnesium-containing samples exceeds 80%, and the distribution coefficient is (4.7-5.4) x 10(3) cm(3) g(-1).