Simulation of Radionuclide Transport through Unsaturated, Fractured Rock: Application to Yucca Mountain, Nevada

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. vzj2011.0142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce A. Robinson ◽  
Shaoping Chu ◽  
Zhiming Lu
Keyword(s):  
Fractured Rock ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Radionuclide Transport

Migration of Solutes in Unsaturated, Fractured Rock at Yucca Mountain: Measurements, Mechanisms, and Models

1995 ◽  
Vol 412 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Wolfsberg ◽  
B. A. Robinson ◽  
J. T. Fabryka-Martin
Keyword(s):  
Solute Transport ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Alternative Hypothesis ◽  
Fractured Rock ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Nuclear Waste Repository ◽  
Transport Studies ◽  
And Performance ◽  
High Level ◽  
A Site

AbstractCharacterization and performance assessment (PA) studies for the potential high-level nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain require an understanding of migration mechanisms and pathways of radioactive solutes. Measurements of 36C1 in samples extracted from boreholes at the site are being used in conjunction with recent infiltration estimates to calibrate a site-scale flow and solute transport model. This exercise using the flow and solute transport model, FEHM, involves testing different model formulations and two different hypotheses to explain the occurrence of elevated 36Cl in the Calico Hills unit (CHn) which indicates younger water than in the overlying Topopah Spring unit (TSw). One hypothesis suggests fast vertical transport from the surface via fractures in the TSw to the CHn. An alternative hypothesis is that the elevated 36C1 concentrations reflect rapid horizontal flow in the CHn or at the interface between the CHn and the TSw with the source being vertical percolation under spatially isolated regions of high infiltration or at outcrops of those units. Arguments in favor of and against the hypotheses are described in conjunction with the site-scale transport studies.

Identification of sorption processes and parameters for radionuclide transport in fractured rock

2012 ◽  
Vol 414-415 ◽  
pp. 220-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenxue Dai ◽  
Andrew Wolfsberg ◽  
Paul Reimus ◽  
Hailin Deng ◽  
Edward Kwicklis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fractured Rock ◽  
Radionuclide Transport

Assessment of radionuclide transport uncertainty in the unsaturated zone of Yucca Mountain

2007 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Ye ◽  
Feng Pan ◽  
Yu-Shu Wu ◽  
Bill X. Hu ◽  
Craig Shirley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Unsaturated Zone ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Radionuclide Transport

Building Confidence in Radionuclide Transport Models for Fractured Rock: The Nagra/JNC Radionuclide Retardation Programme

2000 ◽  
Vol 663 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Ota ◽  
W.R. Alexander ◽  
P.A. Smith ◽  
A. Möri ◽  
B. Frieg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fractured Rock ◽  
Test Site ◽  
Process Models ◽  
Swiss Alps ◽  
Radionuclide Transport ◽  
Transport Models ◽  
North East ◽  
Host Rocks ◽  
Experimental Technology

ABSTRACTThe joint Nagra/JNC Radionuclide Retardation Programme has now been ongoing for 15 years with the main aim of direct testing of radionuclide transport models in as realistic a manner as possible. A large programme of field, laboratory and natural analogue studies has been carried out at the Grimsel Test Site in the central Swiss Alps and the Kamaishi In Situ Test Site in north-east Japan. The understanding and modelling of both the processes and the structures influencing radionuclide transport/retardation in fractured host rocks have matured as has the experimental technology, which has contributed to develop confidence in the applicability of the underlying research models in a repository performance assessment. In this paper, the successes and set-backs of this programme are discussed as is the general approach to the thorough testing of the process models and of model assumptions. In addition, a set of key findings is presented, involving discussions on the enhancement of confidence through the program.

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