Experimental Evaluation of Actinide Transport in a Fractured Granodiorite
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
The objective of this study was to demonstrate and evaluate new experimental methods for quantifying the potential for actinide transport in deep fractured crystalline rock formations. We selected a fractured granodiorite at the Grimsel Test Site (GTS) in Switzerland as a model system because field experiments have already been conducted with uranium and additional field experiments using other actinides are planned at the site. Thus, working on this system provides a unique opportunity to compare lab experiment results with fieldscale observations. Rock cores drilled from the GTS were shipped to Los Alamos National Laboratory, characterized by x-ray diffraction and microscopy, and used in batch sorption and column breakthrough experiments. Solutions with pH 6.8 and 8.8 were tested. Solutions were switched to radionuclide-free synthetic Grimsel groundwater after near-steady actinide/colloid breakthrough occurred in column experiments. We are currently evaluating actinide adsorption/desorption rates as a function of water chemistry (initial focus on pH), with future testing planned to evaluate the influence of carbonate concentrations, flow rates, and mineralogy in solutions and suspensions with bentonite colloids. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC52-06NA25396
- OSTI ID:
- 1172314
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-13-20322
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 28 Apr 2013
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Laboratory investigation of the role of desorption kinetics on americium transport associated with bentonite colloids
Engineered Barrier System R&D and International Collaborations – LANL (FY20): Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition