Ground Disposal of Radioactive Wastes

Abstract

'The production and utilization of nuclear energy has expanded during the past ten years into a nation-wide, multipurpose industry with a capital investment of over six and a half billion dollars.

Ion-exchange minerals and disposal of radioactive wastes-- A survey of literature

“…The range of values assigned to these classifications varies from one authority to another. Morton and Struxness (1956) identified these three classifications of liquid wastes as follows:…”

“…Hayner (1952) noted that low-level liquid wastes have been defined arbitrarily by process engineers as those whose radioactivity amounts to less than 1 curie per gallon. This definition includes some wastes that Morton and Struxness (1956) would call high-level wastes.…”

“…3. Surface pits and trenches (Brown, Parker, and Smith, 1956;Brown and others, 1958;Clark, 1954;Clark and Pohl, 1956;De Laguna and others, 1958;Lieberman, 1955;Mawson, 1956, p. 676-678 ;Morton and Struxness, 1956;Oak Ridge Natl. Lab.…”

The Soil Ecosystem and Radioactive Waste Disposal to the Ground

“…Intermediate-level wastes-these wastes come from various chemical processes or from relatively large experimental projects. They may contain as much as 2.7 !J.C/m (1/10 curie of radio-activity per gallon)(Morton and Struxness, 1956).4 High-level wastes-usually these contain large amounts of dissolved chemicals, and may be highly acid or alkaline. They range from 1!10 to 500 curies per gallon, and it is probable that some power reactor process wastes will be of even higher activity levels(Morton and Struxness, 1956).…”