Development of a methodology of geochemical sensitivity analysis for performance assessment

M. D. Siegel, J. O. Leckie, S. L. Phillips, W. R. Kelly

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The objective of this geochemical sensitivity analysis is to formulate criteria for valid simplification of radionuclide transport models used in performance assessment. Limitations in available models, data, and computer codes have necessitated the use of simplified representations of radionuclide chemistry and water/rock interactions in analyses of high-level waste repositories. The paper illustrates the complementary roles played by simple transport models designed to bound the radionuclide discharge over wide ranges of physicochemical conditions, detailed geochemical models that provide a structured method to obtain reliable information about solute/rock/water interactions; and sensitivity and uncertainty analysis techniques used to assess the significance of errors in both data and models. Progress has been made in the compilation of computerized data bases of critically evaluated thermodynamic data and empirical sorption (batch Kd) data for waste elements; the assessment of the potential use of surface complexation models is existing performance assessment methodologies; and the simulation of radionuclide discharge for generic and site-specific systems over 10 000-year periods. -from Authors

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)189-211
Number of pages23
JournalUnknown Journal
StatePublished - 1989
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Environmental Science
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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