Status of geochemical problems relating to the burial of high-level radioactive waste, 1982

Technical Report · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6218944

Apps, J A; Carnahan, C L; Lichtner, P C; Michel, M C; Perry, D; Silva, R J; Weres, O; White, A F

Geochemistry research supporting high-level radioactive waste burial in underground repositories is evaluated. General research covering the whole repository includes the bounding of physical and chemical conditions in the repository environment, estimation of toxic radionuclides present in spent fuel and high-level waste at various times after 1000 years, the forms in which radionuclides might be transported in groundwater, the mechanisms by which radionnuclides are retarded, and transport models incorporating chemical reactions. Specific issues relating to the backfill, near field, and far field are also examined. These include low-permeability backfills, diffusional radionuclide transport through backfills (both with and without sorption), the long-term criticality potential in a repository, near-field phase changes and their impact on rock geomechanical properties and radionuclide migration, the effect of temperature gradients on host rock permeability, and, finally, the assessment of groundwater dating to determine groundwater flow rates. Each evaluation results in a series of conclusions and recommendations. The recommendations are prioritized, and further research needed to resolve current uncertainties is suggested.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 6218944
• Report Number(s): NUREG/CR-3062; LBL-15103; ON: DE83010251
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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AGE ESTIMATION
BACKFILLING
CHEMISTRY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GEOCHEMISTRY
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GROUND WATER
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
ISOTOPE DATING
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SOLUBILITY
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER