Physical and chemical analyses of aerated zone loess at CIRP's field test site

The objective of this work is to provide physical and chemical parameters of in-situ soil for the project of the safety assessment of shallow land disposal of low and intermediate level radioactive waste. Sampling depth was from 0.5 to 9.1 m. for each sample ten items were determined: mineral composition, particle size distribution, density, porosity, effective porosity, specific retention and specific yield, permeability coefficient, positive ion exchange capacity and water content. It is seen that the root system of the plant is well developed at the sampling area. Pores and holes were found at depth of 0.55-2 m or more. The soil is mainly composed of feldspar (about 40%) and quartzite (about 27%). Chemically, it is SiO2 (60%), al2O3(11%) and Fe2O3(3.2%). Particle size of the soil is mainly in the range of 0.2-0.02 mm (about 50%-70%). Typical name of the soil is sandy clay loam. the pH value is around 8. Dry bulk density of the soil is 1.27-1.48 t/m3. Total porosity is about 50%. The permeability coefficient in depth from 0.5 to 9.1 m is in the range of (0.92-4.3) x 10-4 cm/s. The positive ion exchange capacity ranges from 12.17-28.26 meq/100g