Safety functions derived from geochemistry for safety analysis of final disposal of high-level radioactive waste

Abstract

The most important barrier of the multi-barrier system is the confining host rock of a repository for high-level radioactive waste. The repository system, subsystems and components provide safety functions to prevent or delay the release of radionuclides from the waste to the biosphere. Geochemical processes within the waste, waste matrix and the near field provide some of these safety functions for isolation and retardation and can be characterized as effective, latent, supplementary or reserve safety functions. This paper focuses on safety functions related to geochemical processes.