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Rock–matrix diffusion and its implications for radionuclide migration

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2018

D. A. Lever  and
M. H. Bradbury
D. A. Lever
Affiliation:
Theoretical Physics and Chemical Technology Divisions, AERE Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0RA
M. H. Bradbury
Affiliation:
Theoretical Physics and Chemical Technology Divisions, AERE Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0RA
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Abstract

Diffusion into the rock matrix is potentially an important retardation mechanism for nuclides leached from an underground radioactive waste repository in a fractured hard rock. A technique for measuring the intrinsic diffusion coefficient and rock capacity factor is briefly described. Simple solutions to migration model equations are used, together with diffusion results and typical hydrogeological parameters, to estimate the impact of matrix diffusion on radionuclide migration. It is shown that retardation factors in excess of 100 and reductions in the peak concentration by 3–4 orders of magnitude are possible for non-sorbed ions, which would otherwise be carried by the flow and not retarded at all.

Keywords

radionuclidesradioactive wastediffusion
Type
Research Article
Information
Mineralogical Magazine , Volume 49 , Issue 351 , April 1985 , pp. 245 - 254
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1985

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