Objective To analyse the phenomena in the field surrounding radioactive waste packages in order to define the main mechanisms which dominate the release of the radioactive elements. Progress to end 1990 An apparatus capable to analyse leaching of glasses and corrosion of the canning materials in a thermal gradient has been set up. A test has been performed using glasses loaded with cesium in order to verify if cesium diffusion is altered by the thermal gradient. It was found that in porous media containing calcium carbonates a calcium carbonate layer is formed at the surface of the glass which acts as a barrier against cesium diffusion. A final report is in preparation. Publication: JAC Marples, N.GodonF.Lanza P.van Iseghem: Radionuclide release from high level waste forms under repository conditions in clay or granite. Presented at the Third Eur.Conf. on radioactive waste management and disposal Luxembourg,Sept. 1990. Detailed description of work foreseen in 1991 (expected results) Using the apparatus described above, tests will be performed with porous media containing a variable amount of carbonaceous material to verify if it is possible to cause the formation of a calcium carbonate layer which could act as a protective barrier for the corrosion of mild steel canning. Short description of evolution of work in 1992 No continuation is foreseen in 1992. 2 Programme(s) JRC-RADWASTE 5C - Specific research programmes (Euratom) to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre - Radioactive waste management -, 1988-1991 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme Data not available Coordinator Joint Research Centre (JRC) EU contribution No data Address 21020 Ispra Italy See on map Total cost No data