ISSN: 0256-1115 (print version) ISSN: 1975-7220 (electronic version)
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Conflict of Interest
In relation to this article, we declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Publication history
Received March 26, 2026
Accepted May 19, 2026
Available online September 25, 2026
articles This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Current Status And Treatment of Contaminated Soil at Nuclear Facility Sites

Nuclear Facility Cleanup Technology Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
ilgook@kaeri.re.kr
Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, September 2026, 43(11), 2879-2898(20)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-026-00756-6

Abstract

Soil contamination at nuclear facility sites represents one of the most complex environmental challenges of the nuclear 

age, encompassing accident-impacted landscapes, legacy defense complexes, and decommissioning nuclear power plants 

(NPPs). This review evaluates the current status of radionuclide-contaminated soils and critically assesses physical, chemical,

biological, and emerging integrated remediation technologies. The environmental behavior of key radionuclides (¹³⁷Cs, 

⁹⁰Sr, U, Pu, ⁹⁹Tc, ¹²⁹I) is governed by distinct physicochemical mechanisms that critically influence technology selection. 

Comparative analysis of case studies from Fukushima Daiichi, Chernobyl, Hanford Site, Savannah River Site, Sellafield 

Site, and decommissioning projects demonstrates that no remediation strategy is universally optimal. Physical topsoil 

removal achieved 75–97% radiocesium reduction at Fukushima but generated substantial secondary waste, while in-situ 

immobilization strategies minimize disturbance but require long-term performance monitoring. Emerging technologies 

including magnetic nanocomposites and electrokinetic remediation coupled with permeable reactive barriers show promising

volume reduction efficiencies of 80–93%. Future progress requires improved source-term characterization, ALARAbased

decision frameworks, and field-validated modular treatment trains targeting mobile fractions of ⁹⁰Sr, ⁹⁹Tc, and ¹²⁹I.

Keywords

References

Radionuclide · Soil · Nuclear facility · Decommissioning · Remediation · Strategy

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