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ABSTRACT

Solid low-level radioactive wastes at the Savannah River Site (SRS) are disposed in trenches. In order to determine the permissible radioactive inventory limits for such disposal facilities, it is required to assess the behavior of radioactive waste material over long periods of time. The sensitivity of flow and I-129 (and similar radionuclides) transport in groundwater in the vadose zone to the hydraulic conductivities of the vadose zone regions and the low-level waste is identified and quantified.

A trench configuration and simulation model have been developed to analyze the flow and transport of the radionuclide in the vadose zone as it migrates to the groundwater table. The analysis identifies and quantifies the major dependencies of the flow and radionuclide flux at the water table on the region hydraulic conductivities. Analysis results indicate the importance of the hydraulic conductivity assigned to the materials modeled, thereby providing the modeler and decision makers with valuable insights on the potential impact of the hydraulic conductivity on flow and radionuclide transport.

REFERENCES

• 1: Collard, L. B. and R. A. Hiergesell 2004. "Special Analysis: 2004 General Revision of Slit and Engineered Trench Limits", WSRC-TR-2004-00300, Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC 29808.
• 2: Collard, L. B. and M. J. Ades, "Sensitivity Analysis and Disposal Strategy for I--129 Wastes with Different Retardations," Proceedings of the Society for Computer Simulation Spring Simulation MultiConference, 257--262, Huntsville, AL, April 2--6, 2006.
• 3: Analytic & Computational Research, Inc., 2002. "PORFLOW™#8482; User's Manual, Version 5, Rev. 5."

INDEX TERMS

Keywords:
flux, hydraulic conductivity, radioactive waste, radionuclide transport, sensitivity analysis, vadose zone