The Pocos de Caldas Project: Natural Analogues of Processes in a Radioactive Waste Repository

The Pocos de Caldas Project: Natural Analogues of Processes in a Radioactive Waste Repository
Author: N.A. Chapman
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 614
Release: 2012-12-02
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 044459891X

The safe disposal of radioactive wastes by burial in deep geological formations requires long-term predictions of the future behaviour of the wastes and their engineered repository. Such predictions can be tested by evaluating processes analogous to those which will occur in a repository, which have been long active in the natural geochemical environment. The Pocos de Caldas Project is a comprehensive study of two ore deposits in Minas Gerais, Brazil, aimed at looking at uranium and thorium series radionuclide and rare-earth element mobility, the development and movement of redox fronts, and the nature of natural groundwater colloids. A multidisciplinary team of experts from 27 laboratories carried out a fully integrated study of the geology, geomorphology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, hydrochemistry and geomicrobiology of the two sites for nearly four years. This book contains 20 papers covering the detailed findings, with particular emphasis on their significance for radioactive waste disposal, especially on the use of the data in testing models of radionuclide movement. It will interest economic geologists, geochemists and performance assessment modellers involved in the geological disposal of radioactive wastes.

Natural Analogue Studies in the Geological Disposal of Radioactive Wastes

Natural Analogue Studies in the Geological Disposal of Radioactive Wastes
Author: W.M. Miller
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 413
Release: 2011-08-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0080875165

The first purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive review of the state of development of natural analogue studies with emphasis on those studies which are relevant to the following repository designs: Nagra (Switzerland) disposal concepts for high-level waste/low and intermediate-level waste; SKB (Sweden) disposal concepts for spent fuel/low and intermediate-level waste; and Nirex (UK) disposal concept for low and intermediate-level waste.The book's second aim is to discuss the expanding application of natural analogues for non-performance assessment purposes, especially their potential for presenting the concept of geological disposal to various interested audiences in a coherent, understandable and scientifically legitimate manner.Much of the discussion of the book is relevant to concepts for geological disposal of radioactive wastes by other countries, and is concerned only with those physico-chemical processes which control the release of radionuclides from the near-field, and their subsequent retardation and transport in the geosphere.

Uranium Deposits of the World

Uranium Deposits of the World
Author: Franz J Dahlkamp
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 536
Release: 2010-08-20
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3540785558

This volume gathers and presents a massive collection of data on the location, quality and accessibility of uranium resources in nearly every region of the globe. This exhaustive, up-to-date reference is designed for practical use and arranged by four geographic regions: Asia, USA and Latin America, Europe, and Australia-Oceania and Africa.

Geological Disposal of Radioactive Wastes and Natural Analogues

Geological Disposal of Radioactive Wastes and Natural Analogues
Author: W. Miller
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 329
Release: 2000-11-09
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0080553052

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.