A multiple-code simulation study of the long-term EDZ evolution of geological nuclear waste repositories

This simulation study shows how widely different model approaches can be adapted to model the evolution of the excavation disturbed zone (EDZ) around a heated nuclear waste emplacement drift in fractured rock. The study includes modeling of coupled thermal-hydrological-mechanical (THM) processes, with simplified consideration of chemical coupling in terms of time-dependent strength degradation or subcritical crack growth. The different model approaches applied in this study include boundary element, finite element, finite difference, particle mechanics, and elasto-plastic cellular automata methods. The simulation results indicate that thermally induced differential stresses near the top of the emplacement drift may cause progressive failure and permeability changes during the first 100 years (i.e., after emplacement and drift closure). Moreover, the results indicate that time-dependent mechanical changes may play only a small role during the first 100 years of increasing temperature and thermal stress, whereas such time-dependency is insignificant after peak temperature, because of decreasing thermal stress.     

Engineering geological and geotechnical responses of schistose rocks from dam project areas in India

For a rational and safer design of civil and mining engineering structures in or on rocks, a proper understanding of the quality of rock mass is required. To assess the rock mass quality, evaluation of physical and mechanical characteristics of the intact rocks is essential. Especially if the rock is anisotropic in nature, the genetic complexity associated with its petrofabric makes it more difficult to predict its behaviour. In this paper, a comprehensive study of the compositional, physical and geotechnical responses of four varieties of schists, i.e., quartzitic, chlorite, quartz mica and biotite schists obtained from two hydroelectrical project sites in the foot hills of Himalayas, India, has been presented.

Anisotropic strength behaviour of the schists has been brought out through the testing of specimens with varying orientation of schistosity with respect to the major principal stress under uniaxial and triaxial conditions. The significance of anisotropic response for consideration in the design is emphasized.     

A comparative simulation study of coupled THM processes and their effect on fractured rock permeability around nuclear waste repositories

This paper presents an international, multiple-code, simulation study of coupled thermal, hydrological, and mechanical (THM) processes and their effect on permeability and fluid flow in fractured rock around heated underground nuclear waste emplacement drifts. Simulations were conducted considering two types of repository settings (1) open emplacement drifts in relatively shallow unsaturated volcanic rock, and (2) backfilled emplacement drifts in deeper saturated crystalline rock. The results showed that for the two assumed repository settings, the dominant mechanism of changes in rock permeability was thermal–mechanically induced closure (reduced aperture) of vertical fractures, caused by thermal stress resulting from repository-wide heating of the rock mass. The magnitude of thermal–mechanically induced changes in permeability was more substantial in the case of an emplacement drift located in a relatively shallow, low-stress environment where the rock is more compliant, allowing more substantial fracture closure during thermal stressing. However, in both of the assumed repository settings in this study, the thermal–mechanically induced changes in permeability caused relatively small changes in the flow field, with most changes occurring in the vicinity of the emplacement drifts.     

A model for the conservation of geological remains as documents

 Geological remains are conserved mainly either together with living beings for the sake of the integrity of nature or for their economical or aesthetic value. However, they also have scientific value for the geologist to reconstruct the earth's past. For this reason we propose a model which is an application of marginal utility theory in economics and takes into account the informational utility of geological remains. Informational utility of geological remains ranges over their geological significance which is induced by the importance of the geological processes that produce them, and over their spatial extensiveness. Our model takes into account also the cost and budget of conservation and proposes to solve the differential equations of informational utility and cost simultaneously in order to obtain the optimum quantity of the remains to be conserved. Received: 9 January 1998 · Accepted: 4 February 1998     

Engineering geological assessment of a proposed waste disposal site in coastal southwestern Ghana

 An engineering geological investigation has been undertaken of a proposed landfill site in coastal southwestern Ghana which is characterized by torrential rains, high relative humidity, shallow groundwater conditions and almost surrounded by a ridge. The study shows that the site has some desirable characteristics such as availability of suitable soils for the construction of the capping and bottom liners of the landfill, a large tract of land for landfilling operation and its location close to a major highway. However, the groundwater table was shallow and there was a high potential for leachate intrusion into and consequent contamination of nearby groundwater abstraction wells and surface potable water sources thereby constituting serious threat to life. Construction costs could be prohibitive as extensive dewatering and backfilling of vast portions of the project site would be required to enable the provision of a separation between the shallow water table and the bottom of the landfill. Received: 20 January 1998 · Accepted: 26 May 1998     

Chemical and physical properties affecting strontium distribution coefficients of surficial-sediment samples at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, Idaho

 The U.S. Geological Survey and Idaho State University, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, conducted a study to determine strontium distribution coefficients (K_ds) of surficial sediments at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). Batch experiments using synthesized aqueous solutions were used to determine K_ds, which describe the distribution of a solute between the solution and solid phase, of 20 surficial-sediment samples from the INEEL. The K_ds for the 20 surficial-sediment samples ranged from 36 to 275 ml/g. Many properties of both the synthesized aqueous solutions and sediments used in the experiments also were determined. Solution properties determined were initial and equilibrium concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and strontium, pH and specific conductance, and initial concentrations of potassium and sodium. Sediment properties determined were grain-size distribution, bulk mineralogy, whole-rock major-oxide and strontium and barium concentrations, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area. Solution and sediment properties were correlated with strontium K_ds of the 20 surficial sediments using Pearson correlation coefficients. Solution properties with the strongest correlations with strontium K_ds were equilibrium pH and equilibrium calcium concentration correlation coefficients, 0.6598 and –0.6518, respectively. Sediment properties with the strongest correlations with strontium K_ds were manganese oxide (MnO), BET surface area, and the >4.75-mm-grain-size fraction correlation coefficients, 0.7054, 0.7022, and –0.6660, respectively. Effects of solution properties on strontium K_ds were interpreted as being due to competition among similarly charged and sized cations in solution for strontium-sorption sites; effects of sediment properties on strontium K_ds were interpreted as being surface-area related. Multivariate analyses of these solution and sediment properties resulted in r² values of 0.8071 when all five properties were used and 0.8043 when three properties, equilibrium pH, MnO, and BET surface area, were used. Received: 30 November 1998 · Accepted: 16 February 1999     

南京浦口地区工程地质分区及其评价

根据地形地貌和岩土组合特征,该区可分为低山丘陵—山麓基岩区、山前平原—阶地中硬土区和长江漫滩软土沉积区,覆盖层主要是长江冲、淤积形成的新近系沉积软弱土。主要讨论漫滩软土及中硬土的特征,并对其工程地质适宜性及建筑适宜性进行了评价。     

7th Annual Report on the International Status of Engineering Geology—Year 2001: Encompassing hydrogeology, environmental geology and the applied geosciences

The year was marked by noteworthy advances in multinational consortia of commercial firms and of forward-looking universities. Again, the tenor of the practice of Engineering Geology has picked up. Not to be in the vanguard does indeed mean that one languishes in the dust raised by those on the move. Engineering geologists must understand an infinity of challenges stemming from land development, environmental protection and cleanup and resource development. This is a profession in which age can bring wisdom and increased competence.Most practitioners were busy in 2001; more than 80% of ASFE member companies report that business has increased or stayed the same for the past 6 months. Sixty percent of practitioners expect that their 2002 revenues will be stable or increase for Year 2002.     

Distribution of indoor radon concentrations and uranium-bearing rocks in Texas

 The purpose of this study was to compare regional patterns of indoor radon concentration with uranium-bearing rock zones and county populations in Texas. Zones yielding radon concentrations that are relatively high for Texas include shale and sandstone in northwest Texas; red beds in north-central Texas; felsic volcanic rocks in west Texas; and sandstone, limestone, and igneous rocks in central Texas. Located in northwest Texas, only five of the 202 counties evaluated have mean indoor radon concentrations above 4.0 pCi l^–1. Two of those counties have populations above the state median of 20 115. The highest county mean concentration is 8.8 pCi l^–1. Results of this study suggest that (1) regional geology influences indoor radon concentrations in Texas, (2) statewide, the radon concentrations are relatively low, (3) highly populated counties do not coincide with regions of high indoor radon concentration, and (4) regions that may warrant further monitoring include northwest Texas and, to a lesser degree, west and central Texas. Received: 8 August 1995 · Accepted: 6 September 1995     

Assessment of the geological and hydrogeological environment at a site of government-level conflict in Incheon, Korea

 The natural environment of an environmental conflict site in Incheon, Korea was assessed with a focus on the hydrogeological environment. Residents had made claims against a company because of health problems, including skin tumors. More specifically, the residents suspected that their drinking groundwater had been contaminated by glass fibers which had caused the health problems. Air, soil, and groundwater samples were analyzed to estimate whether environmental pollution could have caused the problems claimed by the residents. No specific evidence was found from this study to support the groundwater contamination by glass fibers, but groundwater contamination by leaked fuel oils was confirmed in the course of evaluating the glass fiber problem. Received: 16 May 1997 · Accepted: 18 August 1997     

Access to the coast and erosion control: use of wastes on local engineering works in the coast of Gaza City

 Investment in the coastal resources of Gaza City is vital to various developmental issues and projects. Access to the coast and coastal erosion represent two major geo-environmental problems to the city. This paper describes local engineering works developed by the municipality and local people to overcome such problems. A cliff of calcareous sandstone – Kurkar as it is locally known – (up to 18 m high), is located at a distance of 20–50 m from the water–land contact. People who need to reach the beach must cross this Kurkar cliff. The engineering works used to facilitate access to the beach are: old automobile tires, white waste skeletons (refrigerators) and construction waste, where long stairs were designed using these materials. Meanwhile the engineering works which were used as erosion control measures include: rock gabions, concrete wastes, construction waste, concrete walls and shallow excavations. Such practices are commonly used in third world countries and are characterized by inexpensive transportation and implementation costs. The performance of these methods was evaluated from an economic, environmental and safety point of view. Suggestions were made to improve the performance of these practices in the future. Received: 18 November 1998 · Accepted: 15 February 1999     

Engineering geological studies and tunnel support design at Sulakyurt dam site, Turkey

This paper presents the results of engineering geological investigations and tunnel support design studies, carried out at the Sulakyurt dam site, northeast of Ankara, Turkey. The Sulakyurt dam will be used for flow control and water storage for irrigation projects. Studies were carried out both in the field and the laboratory. Field studies include engineering geological mapping, intensive discontinuity surveying, core drilling and sampling for laboratory testing. The diversion tunnel will be driven in rock mass, consisting of granite and diorite. Empirical, analytical and numerical methods were combined for safe tunnel design. Rock mass rating (RMR), Rock mass quality (Q) and Geological strength index (GSI) systems were used for empirical rock mass quality determination, site characterization and support design. The convergence–confinement method was used as analytical method and software called Phase², a 2D finite element program, was utilized as numerical method. According to the results acquired from the empirical, analytical and numerical methods, tunnel stability problems were expected in both granite and diorite rock masses. The support system, suggested by empirical methods, was applied and the performance of suggested support system was evaluated by means of numerical modelling. It was concluded that the suggested support systems were adequate, since after applying the suggested support system to granite and diorite, tunnel deformation and the yielded elements around the tunnel decreased significantly. Thus, it is suggested that for more reliable support design empirical, numerical and analytical methods should be combined.     

Rate of strontium sorption and the effects of variable aqueous concentrations of sodium and potassium on strontium distribution coefficients of a surficial sediment at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho

 The rate of strontium sorption and the effects of variable aqueous concentrations of sodium and potassium on strontium sorption were measured as part of an investigation to determine strontium chemical transport properties of a surficial sediment at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL), Idaho. Batch experimental techniques were used to determine the rate of strontium sorption and strontium distribution coefficients (K_ds) between aqueous and solid phases. Rate experiments indicate that strontium in solution reached an apparent equilibrium with the sediment in 26 h. K_ds were derived using the linear isotherm model at initial sodium concentrations from 100 to 5,000 mg/l and initial potassium concentrations from 2 to 150 mg/l. K_ds ranged from 56±2 to 62±3 ml/g at initial aqueous concentrations of sodium and potassium equal to or less than 300 and 150 mg/l, respectively. K_ds ranged from 4.7±0.2 to 19±1 ml/g with initial aqueous concentrations of sodium between 1,000 and 5,000 mg/l. These data indicate that sodium concentrations greater than 300 mg/l in wastewater increase the availability of strontium for transport beneath waste disposal ponds at the INEL by decreasing strontium sorption on the surficial sediment. Wastewater concentrations of sodium and potassium less than 300 and 150 mg/l, respectively, have little effect on the availability of strontium for transport. Received: 6 February 1997 · Accepted: 31 March 1997     

Geochemistry and stratigraphic correlation of basalt lavas beneath the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant, Idaho National Engineering Laboratory

 Thirty-nine samples of basaltic core were collected from wells 121 and 123, located approximately 1.8 km apart north and south of the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. Samples were collected from depths ranging from 15 to 221 m below land surface for the purpose of establishing stratigraphic correlations between these two wells. Elemental analyses indicate that the basalts consist of three principal chemical types. Two of these types are each represented by a single basalt flow in each well. The third chemical type is represented by many basalt flows and includes a broad range of chemical compositions that is distinguished from the other two types. Basalt flows within the third type were identified by hierarchical K-cluster analysis of 14 representative elements: Fe, Ca, K, Na, Sc, Co, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Yb, Hf, Ta, and Th. Cluster analyses indicate correlations of basalt flows between wells 121 and 123 at depths of approximately 38–40 m, 125–128 m, 131–137 m, 149–158 m, and 183–198 m. Probable correlations also are indicated for at least seven other depth intervals. Basalt flows in several depth intervals do not correlate on the basis of chemical compositions, thus reflecting possible flow margins in the sequence between the wells. Multi-element chemical data provide a useful method for determining stratigraphic correlations of basalt in the upper 1–2 km of the eastern Snake River Plain. Received: 16 February 1996 · Accepted: 1 April 1996     

Engineering geological studies of the diversion tunnel, focusing on stabilization analysis and support design, Iran

In this paper a detailed engineering geological assessment of rock masses and support design studies at Garmi Chay dam site, has been carried out. This project is located in the northwest of Iran and will be used for flow control and water storage. The diversion tunnel of the dam has a diameter of 5.5 m and a length of 420 m and will be driven in slightly to highly weathered micaschist and trachy andesite rock units. The geological studies include field and laboratory investigations that based on the results; for more exact investigation, tunnel alignment was divided into three geotechnical zones. These zones consist mainly of highly weathered gray micaschists, dark red trachy andesites and slightly weathered gray micaschists, respectively. Then, for every zone, support capacity of rock masses was evaluated by means of empirical and numerical methods. The rock mass classification systems (RMR, Q, GSI, RSR, SRC and RMi), the convergence–confinement method and a 2D finite element computer software, Phase² were used for empirical and numerical method, respectively. According to the results acquired from these methods some stability problems were expected in the tunnel especially in highly weathered micaschist zone, so that in practice two big collapses occurred. Because of high weathering, low constants of rock masses and their soil-like behavior, the stability analysis by analytical method does not give illogical results in lightly weathered micaschist zone. The support system, suggested by empirical method, was applied and its performance was evaluated by means of numerical modeling. After installation the support suggested by Phase² program, the thickness of plastic zone and deformations around the tunnel decreased significantly. Consequently the agreement of these methods with each other was resulted and using combination of them was recommended for more reliable support design.     

Long-term behaviour and mineralogical reactions in hazardous waste landfills: a comparison of observation and geochemical modelling

 Drill cores from a Bavarian hazardous waste landfill were investigated for their mineralogical composition. Because of the formation of many new minerals, geochemical equilibrium calculations were performed to find the most stable state of the waste body. A comparison of mineralogical observations and geochemical modelling was undertaken. The remaining solubilities of the newly formed secondary mineral assemblages were calculated. Newly formed minerals were shown using electron microscopy. Received: 26 November 1999 · Accepted: 15 May 2000     

Identification and valuation of paramagnetic radicals in natural dolomites as an indicator of geological events

 Geological sedimentary dolomite samples from the Superior Proterozoic are studied using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The complex spectra in the g=2.0 region is composed of Mn²⁺ lines and signals due to crystallization and radiation-induced defects. Measurements in microwave frequencies of 9.5 GHz (X-band) and 35 GHz (Q-band), and thermal and/or radiation treatments allowed identification of seven paramagnetic radicals in the g=2.0 region: (1) isotropic organic radical; (2) axial SO₂ ⁻; (3) axial PO₂ ⁰ or PO₂ ²⁻; (4) isotropic CO₂ ⁻; (5) axial CO₂ ⁻; (6) axial CO₃ ³⁻; (7) isotropic unknown line. The use of these paramagnetic centres as indicators of geological events is discussed. Received: 18 March 2002 / Accepted: 3 October 2002     

CSEES: An expert system for analysis and design of cut slopes and embankments

 An expert system is developed for evaluating failure potential of cut slopes and embankments. The fuzzy sets theory is used with the modified Monte Carlo simulation technique to obtain the Slope Failure Potential Index (SFPI) incorporating factors affecting slope stability, such as geology, topography, geomorphology, precipitation, vegetation and drainage conditions. The developed Cut Slopes and Embankments Expert System (CSEES) includes a classification system for evaluating failure potential of cut slopes and embankments, and a data bank on landslides in Jordan. The proposed classification system and slope failure-potential method proved to be successful for the areas that experienced landslides in the past. The expert system can be used directly for areas with the same geological formations as those areas in which landslides occurred in the past and can be used for areas with other geological formations by modifying the rock type or foundation-material type factor incorporated in the expert system. Received: 18 February 1998 · Accepted: 19 October 1998     

Mineralogical and geochemical signature of mine waste contamination, Tresillian River, Fal Estuary, Cornwall, UK

The mineralized district of SW England was one of the world's greatest mining areas, with mining commencing in the Bronze age, peaking in the 1850s to 1890s, but still continuing to the present day. Consequently, it is not surprising that mining has had a major impact on the environmental geochemistry of SW England. In this study, the mineralogical and geochemical signature of mine waste contamination within the Fal Estuary at Tresillian, Cornwall, has been examined. A pulse of mine waste contamination is recognized at approximately 50?cm below present day sediment surface. Sn, As, Cu, Pb, and Zn are all enriched within this contaminated interval with up to 1800 mg?kg^–1 Sn, 290 mg?kg^–1 As, 508 mg?kg^–1 Pb, 2210 mg?kg^–1 Zn, and 1380 mg?kg^–1 Cu. Within this interval, the dominant minerals present include chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, cassiterite, Fe–Ti oxides (ilmenite and ?rutile), wolframite, sphalerite, baryte, zircon, monazite, tourmaline and xenotime. In addition, man-made slag products commonly occur. The exact timing of the release of mine waste into the estuary is poorly constrained, but probably occurred during or immediately following the peak in mining activity in the nearby Camborne-Redruth district, which was between 1853 and 1893. The mine waste may have entered the estuary either via the Tresillian River and its tributaries or via Calenick Creek and the Truro River and/or the Carnon River which flows into Rostronguet Creek.