Appraisal of underground radioactive waste disposal in argillaceous and crystalline rocks: some geochemical, geomechanical, and hydrogeological questions

Technical Report · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6723870· OSTI ID:6723870

Apps, J A; Cook, N G.W.; Witherspoon, P A

Results are presented of an appraisal of the potential for the storage of radioactive wastes by burial in underground repositories and of efforts to define the more significant factors affecting the selection and design of a repository. Those areas in geomechanics, hydrogeology, and geochemistry where further research is needed to provide answers of the quality and certainty needed to resolve these issues are examined. Results of this appraisal suggest that argillaceous and crystalline rocks may provide suitable sites for nuclear waste repositories. The most important factor affecting their suitability appears to be the flux of groundwater through the repository. Although intense fracturing would be advantageous in retarding migration of hazardous materials from a repository in these rocks by sorption, the hydraulic conductivities of these fractures would have to be very small and the hydraulic gradient low.

• Research Organization: California Univ., Berkeley (USA). Lawrence Berkeley Lab.
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6723870
• Report Number(s): LBL-7047
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052002* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
ROCKS
SITE PREPARATION
STORAGE
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
WATER