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Title: Long-term predictions using natural analogues

Conference ·
OSTI ID:146984
 [1]
  1. Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

One of the unique and scientifically most challenging aspects of nuclear waste isolation is the extrapolation of short-term laboratory data (hours to years) to the long time periods (10{sup 3}-10{sup 5} years) required by regulatory agencies for performance assessment. The direct validation of these extrapolations is not possible, but methods must be developed to demonstrate compliance with government regulations and to satisfy the lay public that there is a demonstrable and reasonable basis for accepting the long-term extrapolations. Natural systems (e.g., {open_quotes}natural analogues{close_quotes}) provide perhaps the only means of partial {open_quotes}validation,{close_quotes} as well as data that may be used directly in the models that are used in the extrapolation. Natural systems provide data on very large spatial (nm to km) and temporal (10{sup 3}-10{sup 8} years) scales and in highly complex terranes in which unknown synergisms may affect radionuclide migration. This paper reviews the application (and most importantly, the limitations) of data from natural analogue systems to the {open_quotes}validation{close_quotes} of performance assessments.

Research Organization:
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Washington, DC (United States). Div. of Regulatory Applications; Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX (United States). Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses
OSTI ID:
146984
Report Number(s):
NUREG/CP-0147; CONF-9107285-; CNWRA-93-020; ON: TI96001409; TRN: 96:001442
Resource Relation:
Conference: Workshop on the role of natural analogs in geologic disposal of high-level nuclear waste, San Antonio, TX (United States), 22-25 Jul 1991; Other Information: PBD: Sep 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Workshop on the role of natural analogs in geologic disposal of high-level nuclear waste: Proceedings; Kovach, L.A. [ed.] [Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States). Div. of Regulatory Applications]; Murphy, W.M. [ed.] [Southwest Research Inst., San Antonio, TX (United States). Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses]; PB: 120 p.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English