Radioelement transport in the Bangombé nuclear reactor zone (Gabon) – Evidence from U and Sm isotopes

Abstract

ABSTRACTAs a natural analogue study of relevance to the safety margin of radioactive waste repository conditions, mineralogical and isotopic studies were carried out to assess the effects of the alteration of the Bangombé natural nuclear reaction zone. Mobilization and retention of reactor products were identified around the reactor. The high temperature alteration associated with the heat released during nuclear reactions lead to the partial dissolution of uraninite and the sorption of released U mostly by Al-chlorite. This was followed by the precipitation of secondary U-phases such as Zr-bearing uraninite and U-Ti oxides. The recent (<1 Ma) low temperature alteration lead to further dissolution of reactor core uraninite and mobilization of U and fissiogenic REE. Migrations took place laterally through hydraulically conductive fractures within sandstones and vertically through compacted shales, likely by diffusion-type process. Adsorption onto clays and Fe-oxides is the dominant mechanism of retention as inferred by the results of selective extraction experiments. The amounts released appear to be low compared with the quantities initially produced in the core and the transfers may have been limited within several meters around the reactor.