Prediction of solid/liquid distribution coefficients of radiocaesium in soils and sediments. Part three: a quantitative test of a KID predictive equation

An equation is presented for predicting solid/liquid distribution coefficients of radiocaesium on soils and sediments (freshwater and marine). The equation is based on the value of the radiocaesium interception potential of the illitic frayed edge sites of the system and liquid phase composition (K, NH4 and Na). The predictive potential of the equation is tested for some 130 combinations of soil/sediment and water composition covering a three-order-of-magnitude range in KD137Cs values. On average, experimental KD137Cs values exceed predicted values by a factor of 1.62 ± 0.75.