Experimental Assessment and Modeling of Radio-contaminants Transport in the Soil of a Radioactive Waste Disposal Site

Abstract

Low and intermediate level radioactive wastes are produced during research activities of the radiochemical laboratories, research reactors, radioisotope and metallurgical laboratories, activation analysis units, nuclear medicine divisions in hospitals, universities and research institutes as well as industrial activities. These wastes should be isolated to protect human and environment under controlled conditions which is one of the most important factors to be considered for the long-term safety assessment of a radioactive waste disposal facility, particularly in wet geological formations. Representative sediment samples were collected from a radioactive waste disposal site at Inshas locality. The mineralogy and geochemistry of sediment samples are studied to characterize the sediments and to study the possible roles of grain size, mineral and chemical composition. The clay minerals are considered as important factors in the adsorption of metal ions and as backfill in the radioactive waste disposal sites. The sand and sandstone from the study area have high contents of Fe2O3, CaO and MgO reflecting a possible contribution from the nearby basaltic extrusive rocks. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) values reflect a low degree of chemical weathering.