Stochastic analysis of the effect of heterogeneity and fractures on radionuclide transport in a low-permeability clay layer |
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| Authors: | Marijke Huysmans Alain Dassargues |
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| Institution: | (1) KULeuven, Department of Geology-Geography, Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology Group, Redingenstraat 16, 3000 Leuven, Belgium;(2) Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Department of Georesources, Geotechnologies and Building Materials (GEOMAC), University of Liège, B52/3, Liège, Belgium |
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| Abstract: | Deep low-permeability clay layers are considered as safe environments for disposal of high-level radioactive waste. In Belgium,
the Boom Clay is a candidate host rock for deep geological disposal. In this study, we analyze the effects of fractures and
spatially variable hydraulic conductivity on radionuclide migration through the clay. Fracture geometry and properties are
simulated with Monte Carlo simulation. The heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity is simulated by direct sequential co-simulation
using measurements of hydraulic conductivity and four types of secondary variables. The hydraulic conductivity and fracture
simulations are used as input for a transport model. Radionuclide fluxes computed with this heterogeneous model are compared
with fluxes obtained with a homogeneous model. The output fluxes of the heterogeneous model differ at most 8% from the homogeneous
model. The main safety function of the Boom Clay is thus not affected by the fractures and the spatial variability of hydraulic
conductivity. |
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| Keywords: | Geostatistics Waste disposal Radionuclide transport Fractures Heterogeneous media |
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