Zircons and fluids: An experimental investigation with applications for radioactive waste disposal. Hydrothermal stability of zircons: Progress report, January 1991--December 1991

摘要

The long-term stability of nuclear waste forms or barriers is related to changes in physical properties of the material induced through radiation damage and subsequent changes in solubility. Investigations conducted by us on natural zircons (ZrSiO(sub 4)) supports a positive correlation between level of alpha damage and fluid composition to enhanced levels of corrosion. New data are presented on the nature and rate of the solution process. We also present data on our continuing efforts to synthesize and characterize both pure ZrSiO(sub 4) and doped with U, Th, Hf, Dy and P.