Investigations on Radionuclide Retardation at ASSE Salt Mine - R and D Program and First Results

Abstract

During site investigations at the ASSE salt mine 5 geological, 25 hydrogeological and some shallow boreholes were drilled for safety assessments for a repository in the ASSE. A survey of the geological and hydrogeological situation will be given. The drilled cores (0 100 mm) obtained in wirelines coring technique from depths between 30 m and 1.100 m serve as basic sampling material. The relevant properties of the overburden strata will be investigated to quantify these sedimentary rocks as natural barriers against a radionuclide release. The measured results from laboratory experiments will be compared with measurements in granite. The sampling technique to minimize the oxidation of samples will be shown and the sorption behaviour will be determined under aerobic and unaerobic conditions. First results will be shown for consolidated sedimentary rocks like marlstone, siltstone, limestone and anhydrite.