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

Technical Report · Thu Jun 01 00:00:00 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: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6723870
• Report Number(s): LBL-7047; TRN: 78-016052
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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