Analytical methods for predicting contaminant transport

This paper summarizes some of the previous and recent work at the University of California on analytical solutions for predicting contaminant transport in porous and fractured geologic media. Emphasis is given here to the theories for predicting near-field transport, needed to derive the time-dependent source term for predicting far-field transport and overall repository performance. New theories summarized include solubility-limited release rate with flow backfill in rock, near-field transport of radioactive decay chains, interactive transport of colloids and solute, transport of carbon-14 as carbon dioxide in unsaturated rock, and flow of gases out of and into a waste container through cracks and penetrations. 28 refs., 7 figs