Hydrous bismuth-thorium mixed oxide coprecipitated with silver ion is shown to be a useful sorbent for the removal of I^- from alkaline solutions. Required capacity of the sorbent for I^- could be achieved by controlling the amount of Ag⁺ in the mixed oxide.

In developing a method for possible low level isotopic enrichment, which uses to advantage the equilibrium isotope effect observed during U(1V)-U(VI) electron exchange reaction in sulphate solutions, details of a solvent extraction process involving high concentration of a mixture of U(IV) and U(VI) and at low acid concentrations, are described. The extraction behaviour of uranium under these conditions is discussed. During the extraction with amines, U(IV) tended to get oxidised in sulphate solutions.

Effect of anions such as nitrate, chloride, sulphate and carbonate on the sorption of U(VI), from aqueous solutions on hydrous oxides of Ti(IV), Ce(IV) Zr(IV) and Th(IV) has been studied. The sorption of U(VI) is markedly reduced in the presence of anions, like carbonate, whichform strong complexes with UO₂²⁺ in solution. The results are explained in terms of a competition for free UO₂²⁺ between surface hydroxyl groups and ligands (anions) present in solution. The sorption of U(VI) on these hydrous oxides was also studied from a bicarbonatecarbonate mixture. Sorption was less under conditions when tricarbonate complex of U(VI) was formed, but increased at higher pH values (>9), presumably due to the formation and sorption of hydroxo complexes of U(VI).