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Management of Commercially Generated Radioactive Waste - U.S. ...

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Draft p. 3.6.6<br />

Issue<br />

364<br />

ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL CONCEPTS<br />

"A pore water velocity <strong>of</strong> 10- 1 m/yr (a factor <strong>of</strong> 105 over natural pore-water<br />

velocity)," reflects the hypothetical hyperbole syndrome again. (154)<br />

Response<br />

The reason that the calculations were so conservative is that the mass transport code<br />

which was used was not capable <strong>of</strong> using pore water velocities smaller than 10 - 1 m/yr.<br />

Even with these higher velocities, however, a water molecule did not move far, and would<br />

have been contained within the near sedimentary geologic formation.<br />

Draft 3.6.7<br />

Issue<br />

Under "Basement Rocks" the fracture nature <strong>of</strong> the basalts could provide lenses for the<br />

transport <strong>of</strong> radionuclides. This should be mentioned. (113-EPA)<br />

Response<br />

The basement rocks are indeed severely fractured, furnishing avenues through which nu-<br />

clides could be transported more rapidly than through sediments. For this reason an equal<br />

thickness <strong>of</strong> sediments above and below the canister, a minimum <strong>of</strong> about 30 meters between<br />

the can and the surface, and an equal distance between the can and the basement rocks are<br />

being sought.<br />

Draft p. 3.6.7<br />

Issue<br />

Delete estimates <strong>of</strong> barrier properties, or add "if any" to read: to allow estimates <strong>of</strong><br />

barrier properties, if any, <strong>of</strong> the water column . . . (23-DOC)<br />

Response<br />

The water column is not considered a containment barrier. However, it is a limited<br />

dilutional barrier. It is a large barrier to man's intrusion. Only a nation or other<br />

civilization with high technology has the capability to reach the site.

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