METHOD FOR DECONTAMINATING SOIL FROM RADIONUCLIDES Russian patent published in 2002 - IPC

FIELD: environment protection; decontaminating soils polluted by radioactive elements as result of accidents at nuclear power stations. SUBSTANCE: method includes introduction of radionuclide sorbing material into contaminated soil, growing of radionuclide accumulating plant, removal of vegetable-covered top-soil, and its further recovery. Plant choice is effected by finding analog elements for each radionuclide subject to removal from soil followed by determining vegetables accumulating analog elements. Porous granular mineral carbon sorbent is used as sorbing material. This sorbent is extracted from soil upon removal of vegetable-covered top-soil and recovered. Vegetables are planted and sorbent is introduced simultaneously. Amount of sorbent introduced and radionuclide accumulating vegetable planted are found from equation C = 10-15 kP, where C is amount of sorbent, t/ha; P is soil pollution level, Ci/ha; k is plant activity factor. Sorbent used for the purpose has following composition, mas.%: natural mineral raw material modified by special additives, 50-60; active carbon, 15-30; bonding additive, the balance. Sorbent is introduced through depth equal to mean depth of root system. Pod-bearing plants are used as radionuclide absorbing vegetables. EFFECT: enhanced effectiveness and economic efficiency of soil decontamination; facilitated procedure; reduced material input and cost. 5 cl, 1 dwg, 1 tbl