[2019-2024]

The main objective of the European EURAD working group WP - "FUTURE" is to improve the mechanistic understanding of the fundamental processes that determine the retention and transport of radionuclides in radioactive waste geological repositories, considering emplacements both in clay formations and crystalline rocks. Detailed experimental and theoretical studies are proposed to analyse those radionuclide sorption and transport processes that, to date, have greater associated uncertainties which were not addressed in previous projects. Among the studied processes, the quantification and description of the different radionuclide sorption mechanisms (adsorption, incorporation, precipitation, ...), competition phenomena, redox and reversibility processes, as well as transport mechanisms can be highlighted. The ultimate goal of this fundamental study is to ensure that all relevant processes are understood and included at an appropriate level, in safety assessment (SA) models. The project will provide the scientific basis necessary to determine the range of applicability of the radionuclide sorption and transport models that are currently used in safety studies.

Our Unit participates in the following “FUTURE” tasks:

• Task 2.1. Mobility of radionuclides in compacted clay
• Task 2.3. Sorption reversibility
• Task 3. Redox