Sediments, Fauna, and the Dispersal of Radionuclides at the N.E. Atlantic Dumpsite for Low-Level Radioactive Waste. Report of the Dutch DORA Program.

摘要

The seafloor at the NEA dumpsite for low-level radioactive waste has been investigated by geochemical and biological techniques. Evidence of local turbidities and slumping is recorded in the sediment, probably related to the steep local topography. Slumping events could be triggered by dumping operations. The CaCO/sub 3/ content is the principle variable that accounts for most of the variation in the elemental composition and cation exchange capacity of the sediment. Diagenetic modeling is used to explain the interrelationships between: (1) mineralization of organic material and (2) redox transitions, (3) cation exchange, and (4) carbonate dissolution and recrystallization. These diagenetic processes are discussed in terms of their effects on the redistribution and transport of trace elements and radionuclides within the sediment and between sediment and overlying water. Composition, density, biomass, vertical and horizontal distribution has been studied of benthic meio- as well as macrofauna of the NEA-dumpsite. The processes that have been shown to influence the fate of radionuclides that are released from the waste packages are: transport from bottom water to sediment; transport within the sediment; and transformation of radionuclides within the sediment. 194 refs.; 58 figs.; 40 tabs. (Atomindex citation 20:027176)