A recent study conducted by IDREAM researchers at the Department of Energy's Hanford Site in Washington State delves into the behavior of hydrogen atoms in aluminum (oxy)hydroxides, specifically gibbsite and boehmite, prevalent in legacy radioactive waste management. The research aims to enhance energy sector security, decarbonization, and the effective storage of radioactive wastes generated during the Cold War-era plutonium production. The study reveals that residual impurities from synthetic precursors impact the stability and concentration of hydrogen atoms in gibbsite, highlighting the effects of impurities on radiolysis. By utilizing advanced spectroscopic techniques, such as diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the researchers identified how residual ions from precursors like aluminum nitrate and aluminum chloride influence the radiolytic behavior of aluminum (oxy)hydroxides. Results showed that boehmite outperformed gibbsite in trapping and stabilizing hydrogen atoms, as evidenced by higher concentrations and slower decay rates of hydrogen in boehmite. The study also found that the presence of residual ions, albeit in low surface concentrations, significantly affects the response of gibbsite to radiolysis. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed the presence of hydrogen atoms in gibbsite, with differing behaviors based on the type of residual ions present. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex environments encountered in irradiated fuel wastes, particularly at sites like the Hanford Site, enriching knowledge on the roles of aluminum (oxy)hydroxides in hydrogen production and radioactive waste management.