K- and L-edge XAFS determination of the local structure of aqueous Nd(III) and Eu(III)

The short-range coordination of Nd(III) and Eu(III) ions in aqueous solutions has been investigated by means of K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy. Experimental data are presented which demonstrate that an accurate determination of the Nd(III) and Eu(III) hydration structural parameters can be obtained from the analysis of the K-edge spectra. It is shown that the large widths of the core hole states do not appreciably reduce the potential structural information of the K-edge EXAFS data. In addition the available k-range of the K-edge spectra is much wider compared to that of the L3-edge which is affected by the presence of double-electron excitations in a more severe fashion.