Open AccessAssessment of the important radionuclides in nuclear waste
Author(s) -
J.F. Kerrisk
Publication year - 1985
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/59767
Subject(s) - radionuclide , radioactive waste , sorption , transuranium element , spent nuclear fuel , actinide , waste management , solubility , environmental science , high level waste , chemistry , radiochemistry , environmental chemistry , nuclear chemistry , adsorption , nuclear physics , engineering , physics , organic chemistry
The relative importance of the various radionuclides contained in nuclear waste has been assessed by consideration of (1) the quantity of each radionuclide present, (2) the Environmental Protection Agency`s release limits for radionuclides, (3) how retardation processes such as solubility and sorption affect radionuclie transport, and (4) the physical and chemical forms of radionuclides in the waste. Three types of waste were reviewed: spent fuel, high-level waste, and defense high-level waste. Conditions specific to the Nevada Nuclear Waste Storage Investigations project potential site at Yucca Mountain were used to describe radionuclide transport. The actinides Am, Pu, Np, and U were identified as the waste elements for which solubility and sorption data were most urgently needed. Other important waste elements were identified as Sr, Cs, C, Ni, Zr, Tc, Th, Ra, and Sn. Under some conditions, radionuclides of three elements (C, Tc, and I) may have high solubility and negligible sorption. The potential for transport of some waste elements (C and I) in the gas phase must also be evaluated for the Yucca Mountain Site. 12 refs., 17 tabs