Complex behavior of radionuclides in a disposal environment

A disposal system for radioactive waste was mainly consists of a disposal canister, buffer/backfill material and natural barrier. It is generally known that the geochemical behavior between radionuclides and the components of disposal system is a main retardation process of radionuclide migration in a deep geological environment. This work is focused on the reaction between radionuclides and corrosion products, the alteration of bentonite and its effect on the sorption/diffusion of radionuclides, the microbial effect on the migration of radionuclides and the combined reaction of radiation and microbe. The results of a study on the complex behavior of radionuclides and the relative technologies can be directly utilized for the disposal of the spent fuel generated in Korea. Models and data obtained from this work can be also applied to the development of the safety case.