Prediction of concentration and model validation

Key issues for the consequence analysis of radioactive waste repositories

¹ Swedish Radiation Protection Authority (SSI)
² The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm

Abstract

In this paper we examine some critical aspects concerning the justification of simplified radioecological models used in safety assessments for geological repositories. We propose a modelling approach for regulatory review of dose and risk calculations for a nuclear waste repository. The SSI modelling tools are applied to explore uncertainties in the size of the contaminant area due to leakage of radionuclides from a damaged nuclear waste canister. We demonstrate that an improved representation of geosphere transport processes will also enhance our understanding of radionuclide migration in the biosphere and provide a better basis for evaluating radiological consequences in the safety assessment.