Radiochemical methods in nuclear waste management

Abstract

Radiochemical techniques play an important role in nuclear waste management studies at the Centre for Analytical Research in the Environment. Current research includes the measurement of atmospheric emissions from a reprocessing plant, modelling of environmental pathways, and evaluation of reactor materials for the prediction of releases from ultimate disposal sites. A radiochemical separation procedure has been developed for129I, which has been applied to a study of emissions from the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant. Atmospheric emissions, rainfall, grass, milk and wild food are analysed to model the ultimate fate of129I. A new procedure has been developed for measuring sub-ppm concentrations of chlorine in archive steel samples as part of programme to produce an inventory of arisings of36Cl from nuclear power stations. The method has been extended to other reactor materials and this paper describes the application of the radiochemical method for Magnox alloys, mild steel and cast iron.