Hostname: page-component-84b7d79bbc-c654p Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-25T13:35:00.020Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Investigation of Groundwater Composition in Relation to Spent Nuclear Fuel Disposal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

Fred Karlsson
Fred Karlsson*
Affiliation:
Swedish Nuclear Fuel Supply Co, Div KBS, Box 5864, S-102 48 Stockholm, Sweden
Get access

Abstract

Groundwater from boreholes in granitic rock at six different sites in Sweden has been sampled and analyzed. Sensitive parameters such as redox potential, pH sulphide– and oxygen content have been measured with a field equipment. This is an integrated part of a program of geological, geophysical, geochemical and hydrogeological investigations with the final aim to select a suitable site for a high-level radioactive waste repository. According to present results deep granitic groundwaters are reducing due to the presence of iron(II) ions. The pH is normally ranging from 7 to 9. The total sulphide content is generally less than 0.5 mg/l. The normal alkalinity range is 90-275 mg/l. Copper, which has been suggested as canister material in the present concept for spent nuclear fuel disposal, is stable in this groundwater environment, except for a very slow sulphide corrosion and a limited initial attack of oxygen from the emplacement operations. The dissolution of the spent nuclear fuel matrix, UO2, is ultimately controlled by the total carbonate concentration. Carbonate content, pH and redox conditions will also be decisive for the mobilities of actinides and technetium. The conditions are generally favouring a high degree of retention for these species in the undisturbed deep groundwater rock environment.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 26: Symposium D – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management VII , 1983 , 209
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1984

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Final Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel – KBS-3, Part I-IV, (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1983).Google Scholar
2. Almén, K., Hansson, K., Johansson, B.-E., Nilsson, G., Andersson, O., Wikberg, P. and Ahagen, H., Final Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel – Equipment for Site Characterization, KBS TR 83-44 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1983).Google Scholar
3. Laurent, S., Analysis of Groundwater from Deep Boreholes in Kråkemåla, Sternö and Finnsjön, KBS TR 82-23 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1982).Google Scholar
4. Laurent, S., Analysis of Groundwater from Deep Boreholes in Gideå, KBS TR 83-17 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1983).Google Scholar
5. Laurent, S., Analysis of Groundwater from Deep Boreholes in Fjällveden, KBS TR 83-19 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1983).Google Scholar
6. Laurent, S., Analysis of Groundwater from Deep Boreholes in Svartboberget, KBS TR 83-41 (SKBF/KBS, Stockhlm 1983).Google Scholar
7. Laurent, S., Analysis of Groundwater from Deep Boreholes in Kamlunge, KBS TR 83-70 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1983).Google Scholar
8. Allard, B., Larson, S.A., Tullborg, E.-L. and Wikberg, P., Chemistry of Deep Groundwaters from Granitic Bedrock, KBS TR 83-59 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1983).Google Scholar
9. Jacks, G., Groundwater Chemistry at Depth in Granites and Gneisses, KBS TR 88 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1978).Google Scholar
10. Tullborg, E.-L. and Larson, S.Å., Fissure Fillings from Finnsjön and Studsvik, Sweden – Identification, Chemistry and Dating, KBS TR 83-20 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1982).Google Scholar
11. Wikberg, P., Grenthe, I. and Axelsen, K., Redox Conditions in Groundwaters from Svartboberget, Gideå, Fjällveden and Kamlunge, KBS TR 83-40 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1983).Google Scholar
12. Torstenfelt, B., Allard, B. and Ittner, T., Iron Content and Reducing Capacity of Granites and Bentonite, KBS TR 83-36 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1983).Google Scholar
13. Stumm, W., Adv. in Water Pollution Res. 1, 283 (1967).Google Scholar
14. Morris, J.C. and Stumm, W, Adv. Chem. Series 67, 270 (1967).Google Scholar
15. Grenthe, I., Puigdoménech, I. and Bruno, J., The Possible Effects of Alfa and Beta Radiolysis on the Matrix Dissolution of Spent Nuclear Fuel, KBS TR 83-02 (SKBF/KBS, kStockholm 1983).Google Scholar
16. Allard, B., Actinide Solution Equilibria and Solubilities in Geochemical Systems, KBS TR 83-35 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1983).Google Scholar
17. Allard, B., On the pH-Buffering Effects of the CO2-CO2- 3 – System in Deep Groundwaters, KBS TR 82-25 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1982).Google Scholar
18. Nordstrom, K. in: Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste. In Situ Experiments in Granite (OECD-NEA, Paris 1983).Google Scholar
19. Means, J., The Organic Geochemistry of Deep Groundwaters, ONWI-268 (Battelle Columbus 1982).Google Scholar
20. The Swedish Corrosion Institute and its reference group, Corrosion Resistance of a Copper Canister for Spent Nuclear Fuel, KBS TR 83-24 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1983).Google Scholar
21. Forsyth, R., The KBS UO2 Leaching Program – Summary Report 1983-02-01, KBS TR 83-26 (SKBF–KBS, Stockholm 1983).Google Scholar
22. Allard, B., Sorption of Actinides in Granitic Rock, KBS TR 82-21 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1982).Google Scholar
23. Allard, B., Olofsson, U., Torstenfelt, B. and Kipatsi, H., Sorption Behaviour of Actinides in Well-Defined Oxidation States, KBS TR 83-61 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1983).Google Scholar
24. Marinsky, J., The Complexation of Eu(III) by Fulvic Acid, KBS TR 83-14 (SKBF/KBS, Stockholm 1983).Google Scholar