Sorption of Cs+ and Ba2+ on magnesite

Sorption behavior of Cs and Ba ions on magnesite was studied using the radiotracer method complemented by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cs and Ba were used as radiotracers. The sorption of Cs is seen to be temperature dependent, whereas Ba sorption is not much affected by temperature changes. It was found that Freundlich type isotherms provide an adequate description of the sorption process. The magnitude of the free energy of sorption are seen to be within the 8-16 kj/mol range. It can be remarked that the sorption of Cs and Ba on magnesite is a fast process suggesting an ion exchange type mechanism, mainly taking place at the surface of mineral particles.