Corrosion Properties and Composition of Pore Water From Bentonites

Abstract

Isolation of high-radioactive waste is provided by a multilayer system (waste container, engineering barrier and natural barrier). The engineering barriers retard transport of a contaminant to surrounding geosphere in the case of container corrosion. Due to its properties, bentonite is considered the main structural material for the engineering barrier. Its properties (impermeability, swelling, plasticity, sorption) must not impair, which would threaten safe functioning of the barrier. Its corrosion properties are tested to find a bentonite or its mixture possessing lower corrosion effects and properties which do not substantially change. For assessment of its performance in a nuclear waste repository, knowledge of the chemistry of the pore water in the bentonite barrier is essential. However, the problem of isolation of the soil solution has not yet been solved.