Geological Disposal of Radioactive Wastes and Natural Analogues, Volume 2
1st Edition
Table of Contents
1 The issue of radioactive waste disposal. 1.1 The nature of radioactive wastes. 1.2 The concept of geological disposal. 1.3 Evaluating repository safety. 1.3.1 Key uncertainties in safety calculations. 1.3.2 Requirements for supporting natural data. 1.4 Natural analogue studies. 1.5 Other field-based studies of natural systems. 1.5.1 Site characterisation. 1.5.2 Palaeohydrogeology. 1.5.3 Natural safety indicators. 1.5.4 Biosphere studies. 1.6 Toxic waste disposal.
2 Radioactive waste types and repository designs 2.1 The nuclear fuel cycle and radioactive wastes. 2.1.1 Used fuel and reprocessing wastes. 2.1.2 Operational wastes. 2.1.3 Decommissioning wastes. 2.1.4 Other wastes. 2.2 Classification of radioactive wastes. 2.3 Repository designs. 2.3.1 Deep repository designs for HLW. 2.3.2 Deep repository designs for ILW. 2.3.3 Near-surface repository designs for LLW. 2.4 Geological disposal environments.
3 Varieties of analogue studies 3.1 Chemical analogues. 3.2 Natural geological and geochemical systems. 3.2.1 Uranium orebodies. 3.2.2 Geochemical discontinuities in clays. 3.2.3 Hyperalkaline environments. 3.2.4 Hydrothermal systems. 3.2.5 Natural occurrences of repository materials. 3.3 Archaeological analogues. 3.4 Sites of anthropogenic contamination.
4 Analogues of repository materials. 4.1 Silicate glass. 4.2 Spent fuel. 4.3 Mineral and ceramic wasteforms. 4.4 Metals. 4.5 Bentonite. 4.6 Concretes and cement. 4.7 Bitumen. 4.8 Organic materials.
5 Analogues of transport and retardation. 5.1 Elemental solubility and speciation. 5.2 Elemental retardation processes. 5.3 Matrix diffusion. 5.4 Radiolysis. 5.5 Redox fronts. 5.6 Colloids. 5.7 Microbiological activity. 5.8 Gas generation and migration.
6 The application of analogue information. 6.1 Natural analogues in the support of performance assessment. 6.1.1 The
Description
Many countries are currently exploring the option to dispose of highly radioactive solid wastes deep underground in purpose built, engineered repositories. A number of surface and shallow repositories for less radioactive wastes are already in operation. One of the challenges facing the nuclear industry is to demonstrate confidently that a repository will contain wastes for so long that any releases that might take place in the future will pose no significant health or environmental risk.
One method for building confidence in the long-term future safety of a repository is to look at the physical and chemical processes which operate in natural and archaeological systems, and to draw appropriate parallels with the repository. For example, to understand why some uranium orebodies have remained isolated underground for billions of years. Such studies are called 'natural analogues'.
This book investigates the concept of geological disposal and examines the wide range of natural analogues which have been studied. Lessons learnt from studies of archaeological and natural systems can be used to improve our capabilities for assessing the future safety of a radioactive waste repository.
Details
- No. of pages:
- 328
- Language:
- English
- Copyright:
- © Pergamon 2000
- Published:
- 9th November 2000
- Imprint:
- Pergamon
- eBook ISBN:
- 9780080553054
Reviews
@from:M. Gascoyne @qu:...the book is a wealth of information on natural analogues and related aspects of nuclear waste disposal (e.g. diffusion, migration, sorption, corrosion). @source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity @from:D. Savage @qu:...this is an excellent compilation of material, bringing to a wider audience much information which might be lost in the 'grey literature', whilst carefully sifting key kernels of knowledge for the reader. ...this book will be a useful reference to the research scientist, consultant, regulator or waste manager. @source:Waste Management
Ratings and Reviews
About the Editors
W. Miller Editor
Affiliations and Expertise
QuantiSci Ltd, Leicestershire, UK
R. Alexander Editor
Affiliations and Expertise
Nagra, Switzerland
N. Chapman Editor
Affiliations and Expertise
QuantiSci Ltd, Leicestershire, UK
John McKinley Editor
Affiliations and Expertise
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, Department of Orthopaedics, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK
J.A.T. Smellie Editor
Affiliations and Expertise
Conterra AB, Box 493, S-751 06 Uppsala, Sweden