Decontamination of washing solution of simulated cesium-contaminated soil by magnetic ammonium phosphomolybdate beads

Chemical extraction is an efficient and convenient method for the remediation of cesium-contaminated soils. Selective removal of cesium from washing solution also remains a challenge. The one-step extraction-adsorption method was performed to decontaminate three different land-use types of cesium-contaminated soils. The novel and magnetic adsorbent, ammonium phosphomolybdate-CoFe2O4, was successfully encapsulated in calcium alginate beads (ACCA) using the crosslinking method at room temperature for the first time. As-synthesized ACCA possesses a high and selective adsorption performance for cesium-contaminated washing solution, as well as good chemical stability and magnetic separation properties. Additionally, response surface methodology was employed to optimize the remediation process, resulting in removal rates of ACCA reaching 76%, 98%, and 95% for three simulated cesium-contaminated soils, respectively.