[en] The radionuclide inventory of a radioactive waste repository, influenced by the chemical conditions in the near-field, determines the source term for radionuclides entering the geosphere. The research described in this report is focussed on providing the information necessary to quantify this source term. The processes which interact to determine near field behaviour over a long period of time are complex and a simplified representation is required for radiological assessment modelling. The assumptions made in formulating the near field assessment methodology are discussed and justified in this report. The techniques for acquiring the necessary large body of data for a wide range of relevant radionuclides are also described and the values used in the CASCADE I exercise are given. (author)