| Bibliographic Citation | |
| Full Text |  0 K |
|---|---|
| Title | Aged Nuclear Explosive Melt Glass: Radiography and Scanning Electron Microscope Analyses Documenting Both Radionuclide Distribution and Glass Alteration |
| Creator/Author | Eaton, G.F. ; Smith, D.K. |
| Publication Date | 2000 Mar 28 |
| OSTI Identifier | OSTI ID: 793990 |
| Report Number(s) | UCRL-JC-136658 |
| DOE Contract Number | W-7405-Eng-48 |
| Other Number(s) | TRN: US200302%%703 |
| Resource Type | Conference |
| Resource Relation | Conference: Methods & Applications of Radioanalytical Chemistry (MARC V), Kailus-Kona, HI (US), 04/09/2000--04/14/2000; Other Information: PBD: 28 Mar 2000 |
| Research Org | Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (US) |
| Sponsoring Org | USDOE Office of Defense Programs (DP) (US) |
| Subject | 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; AMBIENT TEMPERATURE; CHEMISTRY; DISTRIBUTION; ELECTRON MICROPROBE ANALYSIS; ELECTRON MICROSCOPES; EXPLOSIONS; GLASS; NEVADA TEST SITE; NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVES; RADIOISOTOPES; RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS; X-RAY DIFFRACTION |
| Description/Abstract | Assessment of the long-term performance of nuclear melt glass under saturated conditions provides insight into factors controlling radionuclide release into groundwater. Melt glass samples were collected from an underground nuclear detonation cavity at the Nevada Test Site that was in contact with groundwater for more than 10 years. The samples were made into thin sections and the distribution of alpha activity mapped using CR-39 plastic detectors. The melt glass is visually heterogeneous and the results of the alpha track radiography indicate that the highest alpha activity is associated with areas of dark colored glass. Analyses of the thin sections by alpha spectrometry show the prominent actinide species to be {sup 238}Pu, {sup 239}Pu and {sup 241}Am. Scanning electron microprobe analysis of the bulk glass shows conspicuous alteration layers lining internal vesicle surfaces in the glass. X-ray diffraction patterns for the alteration phases are consistent with clay mineral compositions. Glass dissolution models indicate these layers are too thick to have formed at ambient temperatures over the 10 year period in which they remained in a saturated environment. This implies the alteration layers likely formed at temperatures higher than ambient during cooling of the cavity following the underground detonation. Mobilization of this clay alteration layer as colloidal particles in groundwater represents a potential source of actinide release into the environment. |
| Country of Publication | United States |
| Language | English |
| Format | Medium: ED; Size: 591 Kilobytes pages |
| System Entry Date | 2008 Feb 05 |
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Last Updated: 03/16/2009