Spectroscopic investigation on the formation of hypochlorite by alpha radiolysis in concentrated NaCl solutions

The hypochlorite formation induced by alpha radiation in saline solutions is studied by UV/VIS spectroscopy. Experiments are carried out in NaCl solutions of various concentrations between 1 and 5 mol/l and with volume alpha activities in the range of 20–444 GBq/l. The concentration of radiolytically formed hypochlorite is measured over a period of up to 200 days. The build-up of hypochlorite to an equilibrium concentration is found to depend on both, the chloride and the activity concentration and is calculated by means of a kinetic reaction model. Experimental results for the formation of hypochlorite are compared with the model calculation.