Spatial and temporal variations in diffusive and reactive transport properties of sedimentary rocks: Application to radioactive waste isolation

地质系统中的废物遏制和隔离是全国大多数主要城市和许多大公司面临的问题。 这一问题在放射性废物管理领域特别重要，因为在这一领域，有必要了解潜在污染物在1万年及更长时间内在地下的迁移情况。 一个恰当的例子是最近（2005年2月）宣布的在安大略金卡丁附近的布鲁斯核场址下面的古生代沉积物中建立低、中水平放射性废物处置库的深层地质处置库倡议。 由于这一宣布，将于2006年进行特定场地的场地特征研究，以进一步探索和描述地质系统在DGR性能和安全方面的特征。 在这方面的一个关键要求是主导地位的扩散运输制度，一直持续通过地质过去，并可能在遥远的未来。 Tom Al博士和他的合作者提出的战略研究项目解决了开发新的创新方法的需求，以表征岩石的扩散特性及其在沉积岩块中的分布，以及它们受岩石-水相互作用影响的演变。通过结合几种先进的分析技术来测量基岩材料中的扩散，该团队将通过数值分析将理论和实验结合起来。研究人员将与安大略发电公司合作，为该公司开发长期废物处理设施所需的环境和安全评估奠定科学基础。该研究具有重大潜力，以推进环境评估领域的技术。此外，它还将推进加拿大的核废料处置方案，并有助于最大限度地减少与深层地质处置有关的风险。

Waste containment and isolation in geologic systems is an issue faced by most major municipalities and many large corporations across the country.  This issue is of particular importance in the field of radioactive waste management where an understanding of the migration of potential contaminants in the sub-surface is necessary at timeframes to 10,000 years and beyond.  A case in point is the recently announced (February 2005) Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) initiative for a Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste (LILW) Repository within the Paleozoic sediments beneath the Bruce Nuclear site, situated near Kincardine, Ontario.  As a result of this announcement site-specific Site Characterization studies to further explore and characterize the geologic system with respect to DGR performance and safety are to be undertaken in 2006.  A key requirement in this regard is the dominance of a diffusion transport regime that has persisted through the geologic past and likely far into the future.  The Strategic Research Project proposed by Dr. Tom Al and his collaborators addresses the need to develop new and innovative methodologies for the purpose of characterizing diffusive properties of rocks and their distribution within sedimentary rock masses, as well as their evolution as influenced by rock-water interaction. By combining several advanced analytical techniques for measuring diffusion in bedrock materials, the team will integrate theory and experiment through numerical analysis. In collaboration with Ontario Power Generation, the researchers will develop the scientific foundation for the environmental and safety assessments the corporation requires for developing a long-term waste disposal facility. The research holds significant potential to advance technology in the areas of environmental assessment. Further, it will advance Canada's nuclear waste repository program and help minimize the risks associated with deep geologic repositories.