Geological and contaminant transport assessment of a low level radioactive waste disposal site

The protective function of a radioactive waste disposal is provided by natural geological barrier itself. Sand and sandstone samples were taken from Inshas rad-waste disposal site and were subjected to geochemical-physical examinations. The rock volumes of such samples were composed of 70% quartz and 10% plagioclase beside 17% interstitial matter. The weathering indices indicated moderate weathering of the source materials. Provenance studies suggested the derivation from recycled quartoze sediments. The presented high contents of the interstitial Fe2O3 (hematite/goethite) and Al2O3 (clay/kaolinite) were important agents for preventing pollutants transport via adsorption and the reduced porosity (10–20%) and permeability (0.1–6 md). Flow and transport of Cs+ and Sr2+ ions in groundwater was simulated using fixed bed sand column under the effect of initial ion concentration. Hights of mass transfer zones of Cs+ testing beds and their rates of movement and fractional capacities were found to be higher than those of Sr2+. The maximum adsorption capacities were calculated using Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models. The inlet concentration of both metal ions was directly related to the 50% breakthrough time. The obtained data indicated a high opportunity of Inshas area to meet the requirements posed by the International Atomic Energy Agency for shallow disposal.