Abstract
Available information concerning geochemical processes that control contaminant solution concentrations and migration at existing low- level radioactive waste (LLW) sites is reviewed. The purpose of the review was to identify the current status and future information needs required for the development of effective performance assessment models that will be used in support of future site license applications. Tritium appears to be the most mobile radionuclide that has been observed to migrate away from burial trenches at commercial LLW sites. Calculations of species distributions of contaminants are necessary to predict migration potential in groundwater systems. Further, speciation can only be reliably calculated from a combination of accurate chemical analyses and use of chemical reaction codes. Thus, the strengths and weaknesses of various reaction codes in describing chemical processes and the adequacy available data are reviewed. The review of geochemical processes identified microbial-degradation induced anoxia, subsequent iron oxide precipitation during oxidation, alkalinity controlled pH changes nd organic complexation reactions as key controls of radionuclide migration potential. Virtually all experimental work on radionuclide attenuation at commercial LLW site considers only adsorption. All data collected rely upon the empirical distribution coefficient concept. 276 refs., 4 figs., 13 tabs.
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