Effect of soil erosion on the long-term stability of FUSRAP near-surface waste-burial sites [electronic resource].

Published: Argonne, Ill. : Argonne National Laboratory, 1983.
Oak Ridge, Tenn. : Distributed by the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Dept. of Energy.
Physical Description: Pages: 33 : digital, PDF file
Additional Creators: Argonne National Laboratory and United States. Department of Energy. Office of Scientific and Technical Information

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Summary

Decontamination of FUSRAP sites could result in the generation of large volumes (in excess of 400,000 m/sup 3/) of low-activity radioactive wastes (primarily contaminated soil and building materials) requiring subsequent disposal. It is likely that near-surface burial will be seriously considered as an option for disposal of these materials. A number of factors - including soil erosion - could adversely affect the long-term stability of a near-surface waste-burial site. The majority of FUSRAP sites are located in the humid eastern United States, where the principal cause of erosion is the action of water. This report examines the effect of soil erosion by water on burial-site stability based on analysis of four hypothetical near-surface burial sites. The Universal Soil Loss Equation was employed to estimate average annual soil loss from burial sites and the 1000-year effects of soil loss on the soil barrier (burial trench cap) placed over low-activity wastes. Results suggest that the land use of the burial site and the slope gradient of the burial trench cap significantly affect the rate of soil erosion. The development of measures limiting the potential land use of a burial site (e.g., mixing large rocks into the burial trench cap) may be required to preserve the integrity of a burial trench for long periods of time.

Report Numbers

E 1.99:anl/eis-18
anl/eis-18

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Note

Published through SciTech Connect.
04/01/1983.
"anl/eis-18"
"DE83015978"
Knight, M.J.

Funding Information

W-31-109-ENG-38

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