Long-Term Radionuclide Immobilization by Minerals: Applications in Environmental Remediation and Waste Disposal
A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 January 2026 | Viewed by 160
Special Issue Editors
Interests: phosphate minerals have high potential for absorbing uranium and many of its mobile fission products; with the goal of developing a new engineered backfill material, I investigate the mechanisms of sorption and uptake across a range of temperatures, from the thermal peak of a nuclear waste package (~300°C) to ambient conditions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: experimental geochemistry; immobilization of radionuclides; mineral synthesis and recrystallization; carbon sequestration; to evaluate the potential of rocks and minerals as proxies for environmental
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The inevitable transition away from fossil fuel energy production requires not only scientific and engineering breakthroughs in clean energy research but also the responsible utilization of conventional energy resources. If properly managed, an increase in nuclear energy production could be the most reliable solution to the challenges of environmental change and fossil fuel consumption. However, expanded nuclear energy production will result in greater amounts of spent nuclear fuel (SNF), which must be safely stored for hundreds or even thousands of years. Geological disposal appears to be a viable solution for isolating SNF until its radiotoxicity declines. To ensure the safety of both engineered (e.g., bentonite) and natural (host rock) barriers, the absorption properties of minerals, with respect to radionuclides, must be quantified under various hydrothermal conditions.
We invite authors to submit original research and review articles focusing on the behavior of radionuclides and their stable analogs in fluid–mineral geochemical systems. We especially welcome experimental studies on the uptake of radionuclides by mineral structures, as well as their adsorption, absorption, co-precipitation, and ion exchange at mineral interfaces. Hydrothermal and geochemical considerations, details of their long-term stability and performance, comparative analyses of barrier materials, and future research directions are also welcome. These studies may include the use of rock-forming minerals or add-on materials for the improvement of engineered barriers.
Dr. Rinat Gabitov
Dr. Angel Jimenez
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- spent nuclear fuel
- engineered barriers
- geological disposal
- containment strategies
- radionuclide absorption
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