Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Seabed Disposal Program. Annual report, January--December 1976. Part II

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5291916
During the first two years of the program, studies were made of the water column extending from the seabed to the surface in mid-gyre regions. It was concluded that this water column is unsuitable for consideration as the disposal medium. Studies were shifted to characterization of the mid-plate, mid-gyre sediments, natural processes in the sediments, and how these natural processes are altered or impacted by the presence of high-level radioactive wastes. These activities continued in the third year of the Program and include (1) development of a number of analytical models as part of the overall systems analysis effort; (2) an extensive program to evaluate the sorption properties of the sediments with respect to single species ions and the competition provided by other waste constituents; (3) an assessment of thermal problems associated with the radiogenic heat produced by the waste and its impact upon the physical and chemical properties of the sediments; (4) continued studies to characterize the sediments; (5) development of capabilities to investigate waste canister emplacement techniques; (6) corrosion studies to evaluate potential canister materials; (7) biological investigations in support of assessment studies addressing accident scenarios and environmental impact; and (8) development of an international program of scientific investigations and information exchange. At the end of the third year, available data indicate that studies should be continued on the concept of disposal in the seabed.
Research Organization:
Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, N.Mex. (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-04-0789
OSTI ID:
5291916
Report Number(s):
SAND-77-1270
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English