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Verfication of matrix diffusion by means of natural decay series disequilibria in a profile across a water-conducting fracture in granitic rock

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

W.R. Alexander ,
I.G. McKinley ,
A.B. MacKenzie  and
R.D. Scott
W.R. Alexander
Affiliation:
Paul Scherrer Institute (formerly EIR), 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
I.G. McKinley
Affiliation:
Nagra, 5401 Baden, Switzerland
A.B. MacKenzie
Affiliation:
Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre, East Kilbride G75 OQU, Scotland
R.D. Scott
Affiliation:
Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre, East Kilbride G75 OQU, Scotland
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Abstract

Data from a rock drillcore, taken perpendicular to a water-bearing fracture in crystalline rock, clearly indicate water-rock interactions in and around the fracture. Although there is evidence of microfracturing at some distance from the main fracture, and therefore potential advective flow across the entire shear zone, simple calculations indicate that transport of Ra-226 in the vicinity of the main fracture can be described simply by matrix diffusion. This is a useful simplification for safety assessment studies and the consequences to the estimated radionuclide retardation in the vicinity of the fracture are discussed with respect to the probably over-conservative assumptions made in Nagra's safety assessment model base case.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 176: Symposium U – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XIII , 1989 , 567
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1990

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References

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