Objective
The objective of the project is the characterisation of natural radionuclide (U, Th and their decay products) migration processes in a fractured granitic environment and validation of models describing these processes.
In situ studies will be developed at the "El Berrocal" site, a post-tectonic batholith, taking into account:
- The characteristics of the rock fissures and discontinuities
- The hydrodynamic and hydrogeological conditions, and
- The variation of the physico-chemical characteristics with depth.
In parallel to these in situ activities, a series of laboratory experiments have been planned to study the same phenomena under controlled conditions.
Finally, the identified processes will be modelled and validated.
The objective of the project is the characterization of natural radionuclide (uranium, Thallium and their desintegration products) migration processes in a fractured granitic environment and validation of models describing these processes. In situ studies will be developed at the El Berrocal site, a post tectonic batholith, taking into account the characteristics of the rock fissures and discontinuities, the hydrodynamic and hydrogeological conditions, and the variation of the physico-chemical characteristics with depth. In parallel to these in situ activities, a series of laboratory experiments have been planned to study the same phenomena under controlled conditions. Finally, the identified processes will be modelled and validated.
Overall project objectives were reviewed and agreed and a set of interim objectives developed, directly related to the needs of safety assessments for radioactive waste disposal systems.
An integrated programme of field and laboratory work at the site was developed; this programme will serve as a useful Project management tool and will help ensure needed co-ordination takes place.
Basic geological and geophysical mapping of the site has been completed.
A preliminary set of conceptual models for groundwater flow at the site has been developed on the basis of available geological and hydrological information.
80% of the drilling programme has been completed.
The delays in the drilling programme have afforded the opportunity for a detailed review of borehole locations and borehole management to ensure that appropriate information is collected, which will meet the needs of all participating organisations.
Preliminary sampling for hydrochemical studies for ionic and colloidal phases has been completed in boreholes.
Altered granite associated with the same fracture system has been sampled at 7 locations in the access gallery and mineralogical and geochemical analyses conducted. This work will provide information on the mineralogic al and spatial distribution of uranium in the rock and in the hydrothermal alteration processes that have occurred.
Work programme:
I. Characterization of the physical environment: Geotectonic characterisation from the surface. Underground characterisation from boreholes. Geochemical and petrographic fissural filling studies. Litho-structural model of the site.
II. Geochemical characterisation: Hydrogeochemistry (physicochemical and ionic phases). Groundwater colloidal phases studies (sampling, characterisation and transport). Groundwater mixing and circulation patterns. Fissure filling characterization. Hydrothermal and weathered transformations.
III. Migration studies: Natural radionuclide distribution.
Mobilization/retention processes (laboratory). In situ migration experiments.
IV. Hydrogeological characterisation: Assessment of borehole conditions. Design and construct wirelines straddle packer testing system. Transmissivity and head measurements. Define numerical models. Design crosshole interference tests in selected fractured zones.
V. Modelling studies: Development of computer code (flow and transport, 2-D fractures in 3-D medium). Prediction of uncertainties caused by spatial heterogeneity. Flow and solute transport in a single fracture.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology other engineering and technologies nuclear engineering nuclear waste management
- engineering and technology environmental engineering waste management
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry post-transition metals
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Coordinator
28043 Madrid
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.