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

MRS Online Proceedings Library volume 176, Article number: 567 (1989) Cite this article

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.

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Affiliations

  1. Paul Scherrer Institute (formerly EIR), Villigen, 5232, Switzerland

    W. R. Alexander

  2. Nagra, Baden, 5401, Switzerland

    I. G. McKinley

  3. Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre, East Kilbride, Scotland, G75 0QU, United Kingdom

    A. B. MacKenzie & R. D. Scott

Authors
  1. W. R. Alexander
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  2. I. G. McKinley
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  3. A. B. MacKenzie
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  4. R. D. Scott
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Alexander, W.R., McKinley, I.G., MacKenzie, A.B. et al. Verfication of matrix diffusion by means of natural decay series disequilibria in a profile across a water-conducting fracture in granitic rock. MRS Online Proceedings Library 176, 567 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-176-567

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