Geohydrologic characterization and qualification of a high-level waste site in basalts
Geohydrologic studies are under way on the Hanford Site, Washington, to characterize the Columbia River basalt as a possible geologic medium for disposal of nuclear wastes. Findings indicate that the deformation of the Pasco asin and reference repository location has occurred slowly (averaging < 0.1 mm/y) and is expected to continue at a slow rate along existing geologic structues. Most groundwater in the deep basalts moves laterally through portions of basalt flow tops under low (approx. 10/sup -4/ m/m) hydraulic gradients. These flow tops are separated by basalt flow interiors having hydraulic conductives in the range of 10/sup -11/ to 10/sup -13/ m/s. Using site-specific characterization data, performance assessment modeling indicates that groundwater traveltimes to the accessible environment are > 10,000 y. Because of the limiting solubilities of major radionuclides and the sorptive capacity of basalt, most radionulcides are effectively immobilized in the basalt medium.
- Research Organization:
- Rockwell International Corp., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-77RL01030
- OSTI ID:
- 6469218
- Report Number(s):
- RHO-BW-SA-277P; CONF-830205-24; ON: DE83009655
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Waste management conference, Tucson, AZ, USA, 27 Feb 1983; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
58 GEOSCIENCES
BASALT
GEOLOGY
HYDROLOGY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
HANFORD RESERVATION
WASHINGTON
FEDERAL REGION X
IGNEOUS ROCKS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NORTH AMERICA
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
ROCKS
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA
VOLCANIC ROCKS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
580100 - Geology & Hydrology- (-1989)