This course provides the graduate students for an overview of fundamental radiochemistry and hydrogeochemistry associated with radioactive wastes and contaminants in the environments such as small scale of solidified waste forms to field scale of geological nuclear waste repository. Because the environmental concerns of the fate and transport of radioactive contaminants in subsurface environments is significantly increasing and the nuclear waste management is also depending on the interaction of the radioactive contaminants on mineral surfaces in soils and aquifers, an increasing understanding of fundamental radiochemistry and hydrogeochemistry in contaminant transport and remediation processes is strongly needed for radioactive waste management. This course includes a fundamental radiochemistry, aqueous geochemistry, mineralogy, groundwater hydrology, low-temperature solid waste form development, and nuclear waste management with specific objectives of
 Increasing a fundamental understanding of environmental radiochemistry and hydrogeochemistry concepts so that each student from this course will be able to work effectively with nuclear engineers and environmental radiochemists in industry or academic institutes.
 Providing a background in advanced environmental radiochemical principles so that each student will be able to solve the problems related to nuclear wastes management with a fair degree of confidence and competence. In addition, each student should be able to read and understand the scientific journal articles related with nuclear wastes and environmental researches.

Homeworks 30 %
Midterm Exam 35 %
Final Exam 35 %

Make-Up Examinations. As arranged. Except for extenuating circumstances, make-up exams must be completed within 24 hours after the exam was given to the class.
Attendance Policy. Absences should be avoided. Students should contact an instructor if an absence from class is unavoidable.
Accommodations For Disabled Students. Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have a documented disability. If you have a documented disability, even temporary, make an appointment as soon as possible with the instructor. You will need to
provide your instructor with the appropriate classroom accommodation form. The forms should be completed and submitted during the first week of class. Late notification may delay your accommodations. All accommodations for disabilities must be approved through Disability Services. Classroom accommodation forms are available through the Disability Services Office.

- Choppin, G. R., J.O. Liljenzin and J. Rydberg, 2002, Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry, 3rd Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann.
- Drever, J.I., 1997, The geochemistry of natural waters, 3rd ed., Prentice Hall.
- C.E. Fetter., 1994, Applied Hydrogeology, 3rd ed., Prentice Hall.
- Morel, F.M.M. and J.G. Hering, 1993, Principles and applications of aquatic chemistry, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

1st week (March 1 – March 3): Course Introduction
2nd - 3rd week (March 6 - March 17): Fundamental radiochemistry (radioactivity, dose effects, and radiation protection)
4th – 5th week (March 20 – March 31): Radioactive contaminants (nuclear waste managements and radioactive contaminants)
6th week (April 3 – April 7): Fundamental environmental geochemistry (geochemical reactions, aqueous species, ionic strength, and thermodynamics)
7th – 8th week (April 10 – April 21): Equilibrium and Kinetics (chemical equilibrium calculations, kinetics, acid-base reaction, and carbonate system)
Midterm Exam Period (TBD)
9th – 10th week (May 1 – May 12): Mineralogy (clay minerals and oxides) and Solid stability (solid dissolution-precipitation)
11th – 12th week (May 15 – May 26): Complexation (complexation of inorganic trace metals) and
Redox reaction (oxidation-reduction, pe-pH diagrams, and redox conditions in natural waters)
13th (May 29 - Jun 2): Adsorption (speciation, radioactive contaminants adsorption, distribution coefficient, isotherm, and cation exchange) for radionuclide removal and remediation
14th – 15th week (June 5 – June 16): Fundamental of groundwater hydrology (basic concept of groundwater flow, transport and retardation of radioactive contaminants)
Final Exam Period (TBD)