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Microcracks and Radioactive Waste Disposal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

Gene Simmons and
Louis Caruso
Gene Simmons
Affiliation:
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
Louis Caruso
Affiliation:
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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Abstract

Examination of microcracks in crystalline rocks has shown that the open microcracks form a spatially continuous network that communicates with larger openings. The open cracks become filled with new minerals that often contain U and LREEs. The crystalline rocks most desirable as a host for a repository have low crack porosity, moderate alteration, and occur in an environment that promotes rapid sealing.

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References

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