National Nuclear User Facility: Radioactive Waste Disposal and Environmental Remediation (RADER).

处理和储存复杂的放射性环境样品的能力是核退役和放射性废物管理研究的核心，但英国缺乏此类设施。这些材料的研究的核心是能够访问一系列仪器，以允许在广泛的技术，包括辐射测量，溶液和固体分析的放射性和环境特性的表征。此外，允许在受控条件下操作放射性样品的设施以及用于最佳样品分析的放射性样品制备是实现高质量研究的核心。在NNUF2设施RADER中，我们将通过创建一套专门用于放射性样品处理和环境分析的实验室来进行环境放射性研究。值得注意的是，RADER中的专用表征仪器将能够接受具有一系列放射性核素的材料。这一独特的设施将使人们能够直接获得联合王国社区目前无法获得的放射性样本分析。RADER还将与NNUF 2的其他用户能力合作，在原子尺度上分析放射性环境样品（使用电子显微镜和X射线吸收光谱技术），并允许在研究辐射化学对放射性核素形态和归宿的影响时对样品进行辐照。结合RADER的能力，这将允许从原子到微观和整体结构，如果我们要对工程和自然环境中的放射性核素行为建立强有力的机械理解，以支持放射性废物管理和环境修复研究，RADER将使环境放射性研究能够从模型实验系统中集中于理解通过污染场地研究，重点是了解放射性核素在十年时间尺度内在浅层地下的迁移情况，并包括与高活度放射性废物的深层地质处置有关的放射性核素在浅层地下的流动性方面的工作，了解高危险乏核燃料池中污水处理和微生物相互作用的基本机制。它还将使我们能够使用真实的放射性现场材料和样品，以进一步了解工程和自然环境中的长期物种形成和命运。这种新的世界级能力的研究成果将在关键时刻支持国家在放射性废物处理和环境修复方面的努力。

The ability to handle and characterise complex environmental samples which are radioactive lies at the heart of nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management research yet there is a paucity of such facilities in the UK. Central to the study of these materials is the ability to access a range of instruments to allow characterisation of their radiological and environmental characteristics across a wide range of techniques including radiometric, solution and solids analysis. In addition, facilities which allow radioactive sample manipulation under controlled conditions, and radioactive sample preparation for optimal sample analysis are core to enabling high quality research. In the NNUF2 facility RADER, we will enable environmental radioactivity research by creating a suite of laboratories dedicated to radioactive sample handling and environmental analysis. Notably, the dedicated characterisation instrumentation in RADER will be able to accept materials with a range of radionuclides. This unique facility will allow straightforward access to analyses which are currently unavailable in the UK community for radioactive samples. RADER will also work with other NNUF2 user capabilities to analyse radioactive, environmental samples at the atomic scale (using electron microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques) and to allow e.g. irradiation of samples in the study of the impacts of radiation chemistry on radionuclide speciation and fate. In combination with the RADER capabilities, this will allow seamless analysis of complex environmental samples from the atomic, through the microscopic and bulk structure, essential if we are to build robust mechanistic understanding of radionuclide behaviour in engineered and natural environments to underpin radioactive waste management and environmental remediation research.RADER will enable environmental radioactivity research from model experimental systems focussed on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of effluent treatment and microbial interactions in high hazard spent nuclear fuel ponds, through contaminated site studies focussed on understanding transport of radionuclides in the shallow sub-surface over decadal timescales, and including work on radionuclide mobility in the subsurface relating to deep geological disposal of higher activity radioactive wastes. It will also enable us to work with authentic, radioactive site materials and samples to further understand long term speciation and fate in engineered and natural environments. The research outputs from this new world class capability will underpin national efforts in radioactive waste disposal and environmental remediation at a critical time.