Performance assessment of a nuclear waste repository: Upscaling coupled hydro-mechanical properties for far-field transport analysis

A methodology for addressing the DECOVALEX III Bench Mark Test 2 is presented. Hydro-mechanical (HM) modelling has been conducted on fracture networks generated from fracture length and density statistics, which have been described by a power law. For each rock formation in the test, effective hydraulic conductivity tensors have been derived for a range of mechanical parameters and depths below ground level. The upscaled hydraulic conductivities have been used in a site scale continuum model of groundwater flow and transport to assess performance indicators, including time of travel from repository to ground surface. Preliminary results indicate that interpretation of the fracture length and density data can have a significant effect on upscaling calculations, including the determination of a suitable hydraulic representative elementary volume. HM modelling shows that there is a non-linear decrease in the change of fracture aperture with depth, and that although large aperture fractures remain at depth, the majority of fractures tighten to almost the residual aperture at about 750 m below ground level. Consequently, anisotropy of the effective hydraulic conductivity also changes with depth. Flow and transport modelling at the field scale indicates that, of the controls investigated, mechanical properties of the rock have the greatest influence on solute travel times.     

Radioecological model calculations for natural radionuclides released into the environment by disposal of phosphogypsum

The Dutch phosphogypsum, 2 Tg.y^?1, is disposed of into the Rhine. This leads to an increase of the U-238 chain radionuclides along the Dutch coast off Rotterdam, decreasing in northerly direction into the German Bight. The calculated increase of activity concentrations in sea food causes an increase of the individual radiation dose of maximal 150 μSv.y^?1 and of the collective dose of the Dutch of 170 manSv.y^?1. Increase of the radiation dose from stacking phosphogypsum is one order of magnitude lower.     

Global energy market dynamics and natural gas development in the Eastern Mediterranean region

This article discusses the development of Eastern Mediterranean natural gas resources in the context of global energy market dynamics. The focal point of this research is to apply Localization Theory through systematic attention on the mutual interaction between geographical proximity, regional relations, energy geopolitics, and economics to investigate the trade of natural gas. Eastern Mediterranean is a geopolitically important region endowed with natural gas resources. The realization of potential development options and achievements of desired results have been stranded by changing regional and global energy market and geopolitical dynamics, different policy approaches, and existing conflicts. In the current energy context, the global energy market structure is altering with the development of unconventional resources, falling demand, abundance in supply, changing pricing structure, and declining global energy infrastructure investments. The study revealed that decisions about the development of natural resources and export infrastructure are dependent on global energy market dynamics in conjunction with regional geopolitics. Regional cooperation and development of energy policies in line with the careful consideration of global energy market dynamics and energy geopolitics are suggested as the main path to shape the future of these processes. The study also revealed that development and monetization of the Eastern Mediterranean natural gas resources necessitate a pragmatic approach based on realistic expectations and the development of all-inclusive cooperative schemes. Joint development of regional natural gas resources under these cooperative schemes is likely to produce desired solutions for the energy development and monetization process and create economies of scale by keeping costs low.     

Distribution of artificial radionuclides in deep sediments of the Mediterranean Sea

Artificial radionuclides enter the Mediterranean Sea mainly through atmospheric deposition following nuclear weapons tests and the Chernobyl accident, but also through the river discharge of nuclear facility effluents. Previous studies of artificial radionuclides impact of the Mediterranean Sea have focussed on shallow, coastal sediments. However, deep sea sediments have the potential to store and accumulate pollutants, including artificial radionuclides. Deep sea marine sediment cores were collected from Mediterranean Sea abyssal plains (depth > 2000 m) and analysed for ^239,240Pu and ¹³⁷Cs to elucidate the concentrations, inventories and sources of these radionuclides in the deepest areas of the Mediterranean. The activity — depth profiles of ²¹⁰Pb, together with ¹⁴C dating, indicate that sediment mixing redistributes the artificial radionuclides within the first 2.5 cm of the sedimentary column. The excess ²¹⁰Pb inventory was used to normalize ^239,240Pu and ¹³⁷Cs inventories for variable sediment fluxes. The ^239,240Pu/²¹⁰Pb_xs ratio was uniform across the entire sea, with a mean value of 1.24 × 10^− 3, indicating homogeneous fallout of ^239,240Pu. The ¹³⁷Cs/²¹⁰Pb_xs ratio showed differences between the eastern (0.049) and western basins (0.030), clearly significant impact of deep sea sediments from the Chernobyl accident. The inventory ratios of ^239,240Pu/¹³⁷Cs were 0.041 and 0.025 in the western and eastern basins respectively, greater than the fallout ratio, 0.021, showing more efficient scavenging of ^239,240Pu in the water column and major sedimentation of ¹³⁷Cs in the eastern basin. Although areas with water depths of > 2000 m constitute around 40% of the entire Mediterranean basin, the sediments in these regions only contained 2.7% of the ^239,240Pu and 0.95% of the ¹³⁷Cs deposited across the Sea in 2000. These data show that the accumulation of artificial radionuclides in deep Mediterranean environments is much lower than predicted by other studies from the analysis of continental shelf sediments.     

Application of the mass transfer model for describing nonequilibrium transport of HOCs through natural geosorbents

Column experiments of nonsorbing and sorbing solutes were conducted in sandy aquifer material. Results of the column experiments were analyzed using a numerical nonequilibrium mass transfer model (designated as dispersed flow, film and particle diffusion model, DF-FPDM), an equilibrium advection-dispersion model (designated as dispersed flow, local equilibrium model, DF-LEM) as well as a nonequilibrium two region (mobile-immobile) advection-diffusion model (designated as homogeneous solid diffusion model, HSDM). Results of the analyses revealed that in all experiments the experimental BTCs are much better predicted by the DF-FPDM than by DF-LEM and HSDM. The relative influence of different processes (film diffusion, intraparticle diffusion and dispersion) can be identified by dimensionless mass transfer parameters N(F), N(S) and N(D). Their plausibility can be compared with the well-known advection-dispersion-based equilibrium model. In general, spreading and asymmetry of sorbing solute BTCs can be explained with the DF-LEM and HSDM, but the identification of different processes and their influence on the total transport processes can only be ascertained with a model like DF-FPDM.     

Gamma-emitting natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in the terrestrial environment of Kongsfjord,Svalbard

This paper presents results obtained from a radiometric survey, conducted by the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, into the levels of gamma-emitting radionuclides, both anthropogenic and natural, in the terrestrial environment of Kongsfjorden, which lies on the North-Western Coast of Spitsbergen in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard (79 degrees N, 12 degrees E). Samples of terrestrial matrices were taken during field campaigns conducted between 2000 and 2002 and analysed for a range of gamma-emitting radionuclides. The objectives of this study included an assessment of the levels of gamma-emitting radionuclides in the terrestrial environment of the region, identification of processes and activities that influence the accumulation and redistribution of such nuclides within the region and elucidation of the behaviour of such radionuclides within a high arctic environment. Results indicate a quite homogenous spatial distribution of such radionuclides within the study area and highlight the relatively low levels of contamination by the anthropogenic radionuclide, 137Cs, on Svalbard. Average values and ranges of the radionuclides activities in surface soils (0-3 cm) were: 238U 42 Bq/kg (17-134), 226Ra 43 Bq/kg (12-137), 232Th 21 Bq/kg (4-52), 40K 283 Bq/kg (31-564), 137Cs 35 Bq/kg (1-146). Average levels of these nuclides in avian faecal materials were 238U 63 Bq/kg, 226Ra 54 Bq/kg, 232Th 19 Bq/kg, 40K 365 Bq/kg, 137Cs 78 Bq/kg. Enrichment of radionuclides is apparent in soils taken from locations close to bird colonies in the locale, maximum levels of the radionuclides being found in samples associated with such colonies. The results indicate that this is due to concentration of such radionuclides within the faecal material of the birds and subsequent enrichment of the nearby soils either via direct incorporation of the faeces into the soil or by leaching processes. The results indicate that this process may result in contamination of non-related species, such as Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus playrhynchus), via pathways other than the traditionally accepted route of atmospheric deposition-vegetation-reindeer.     

Performance assessment of solute transport upscaling methods in the context of nuclear waste disposal

Stochastic simulations of solute transport in heterogeneous log₁₀ K random fields were conducted at two different support scales to assess solute transport upscaling methods in the context of nuclear waste disposal. A very fine grid-scale is used to obtain a reference solution of the real problem, which is based on data from the Sellafield site. A coarse-scale model is obtained by upscaling the heterogeneous grid-blocks onto equivalent homogeneous hydraulic conductivity tensors calculated using the Simple Laplacian Technique. Random fields were designed with different degrees of heterogeneity such that the standard deviation of log₁₀ K ranged between 0 and 1. It is shown that the early arrival time of particles at a control location, reflected in the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval of the mass flux cumulative density function stochastic process, associated with the upscaled model is strikingly similar to the one associated with the real solution for all heterogeneities. This is encouraging for the application of upscaled stochastic models to the design of nuclear waste repositories where the design of a nuclear waste disposal facility relies on the estimation of the early travel time of radionuclides arriving at a control location. On the contrary, the late arrival time of particles at the control location is largely underestimated by the upscaled model.     

Performance assessment of a ductless personalized ventilation system using a validated CFD model

The aim of this study is twofold: to validate a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model, and then to use the validated model to evaluate the performance of a ductless personalized ventilation (DPV) system. To validate the numerical model, a series of measurements was conducted in a climate chamber equipped with a thermal manikin. Various turbulence models, settings, and options were tested; simulation results were compared to the measured data to determine the turbulence model and solver settings that achieve the best agreement between the measured and simulated values. Subsequently, the validated CFD model was then used to evaluate the thermal environment and indoor air quality in a room equipped with a DPV system combined with displacement ventilation. Results from the numerical model were then used to quantify thermal sensation and comfort using the UC Berkeley thermal comfort model.     

The impact of radionuclides in the environment: assessment, control and perspective

The objective of this brief paper is to highlight the way in which we assess and control the impact of environmentally dispersed radionuclides. It touches on the assessment of dispersion of radionuclides in the environment, their transfer to man, the resultant dose to man and the presumed health consequences, the control of releases based on such assessments and some perspective against which to judge the results of control policies.     

Terrain analysis for development studies: Typical mountainous area along the Eastern Mediterranean coast-lebanon

The limited areal extent of small countries means that reliance has to be placed on mountainous terrain in developing more land needed for continuous growth. These terrains, especially along the Eastern Mediterranean, usually have rugged morphologies which makes their evaluation difficult. The Australian P.U.C.E. system for terrain assessment and classification proved to be an optimal approach for engineering-geology related studies for the above task in the Aley-Chouf area. Basic land properties having an impact on land development are singled out. They constitute mainly the geological formations, relief, drainage, land forms, soils and the vegetation cover. The land divisions used are Province, Pattern and Unit which cover ten rock formations of varying lithologies, water character and stability features. The area is divided into 7 provinces, 26 terrain patterns and 152 units. These land divisions imply finding similar engineering geological problems and applying similar solutions when planning to develop the area, or some other equivalent areas.     

Water toxicity assessment and spatial pollution patterns identification in a Mediterranean River Basin District. Tools for water management and risk analysis

In compliance with the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive, monitoring of the ecological and chemical status of Catalan river basins (NE Spain) is carried out by the Catalan Water Agency.The large amount of data collected and the complex relationships among the environmental variables monitored often mislead data interpretation in terms of toxic impact, especially considering that even pollutants at very low concentrations might contribute to the total toxicity.The total dataset of chemical monitoring carried out between 2007 and 2008 (232 sampling stations and 60 pollutants) has been analyzed using sequential advanced modeling techniques. Data on concentrations of contaminants in water were pre-treated in order to calculate the bioavailable fraction, depending on substance properties and local environmental conditions.The resulting values were used to predict the potential impact of toxic substances in complex mixtures on aquatic biota and to identify hot spots. Exposure assessment with Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD) and mixture toxicity rules were used to compute the multi-substances Potentially Affected Fraction (msPAF).The combined toxicity of the pollutants analyzed in the Catalan surface waters might potentially impact more than 50% of the species in 10% of the sites.In order to understand and visualize the spatial distribution of the toxic risk, Self Organising Map (SOM), based on the Kohonen's Artificial Neural Network (ANN) algorithm, was applied on the output data of these models. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed on top of Neural Network results in order to identify main influential variables which account for the pollution trends. Finally, predicted toxic impacts on biota have been linked and correlated to field data on biological quality indexes using macroinvertebrate and diatom communities (IBMWP and IPS). The methodology presented could represent a suitable tool for water managers in environmental risk assessment and management.     

Test and application of a general process-based dynamic coastal mass-balance model for contaminants using data for radionuclides in the Dnieper-Bug estuary

In this work a general, process-based mass-balance model for water contaminants for coastal areas at the ecosystem scale (CoastMab) is presented and for the first time tested for radionuclides. The model is dynamic, based on ordinary differential equations and gives monthly predictions. Connected to the core model there is also a sub-model for contaminant concentrations in fish. CoastMab calculates sedimentation, resuspension, diffusion, mixing, burial and retention of the given contaminant. The model contains both general algorithms, which apply to all contaminants, and substance-specific parts (such as algorithms for the particulate fraction, diffusion, biouptake and biological half-life). CoastMab and the sub-model for fish are simple to apply in practice since all driving variables may be readily accessed from maps or regular monitoring programs. The separation between the surface-water layer and the deep-water layer is not done as in most traditional models from water temperature data but from sedimentological criteria. Previous versions of the models for phosphorus and suspended particulate matter (in the Baltic Sea) have been validated and shown to predict well. This work presents modifications of the model and tests using two tracers, radiocesium and radiostrontium (from the Chernobyl fallout) in the Dnieper-Bug estuary (the Black Sea). Good correlations are shown between modeled and empirical data, except for the month directly after the fallout. We have, e.g., shown that: 1. The conditions in the sea outside the bay are important for the concentrations of the substances in water, sediments and fish within the bay, 2. We have demonstrated “biological,” “chemical” and “water” dilution, 3. That the water chemical conditions in the bay influence biouptake and concentrations in fish of the radionuclides and 4. That the feeding behaviour of the coastal fish is very important for the biouptake of the radionuclides.     

A mathematical model for simulating spring discharge and estimating sinkhole porosity in a karst watershed

Documenting and understanding water balances in a karst watershed in which groundwater and surface water resources are strongly interconnected are important aspects for managing regional water resources. Assessing water balances in karst watersheds can be difficult, however, because karst watersheds are so very strongly affected by groundwater flows through solution conduits that are often connected to one or more sinkholes. In this paper we develop a mathematical model to approximate sinkhole porosity from discharge at a downstream spring. The model represents a combination of a traditional linear reservoir model with turbulent hydrodynamics in the solution conduit connecting the downstream spring with the upstream sinkhole, which allows for the simulation of spring discharges and estimation of sinkhole porosity. Noting that spring discharge is an integral of all aspects of water storage and flow, it is mainly dependent on the behavior of the karst aquifer as a whole and can be adequately simulated using the analytical model described in this paper. The model is advantageous in that it obviates the need for a sophisticated numerical model that is much more costly to calibrate and operate. The model is demonstrated using the St. Marks River Watershed in northwestern Florida.     

Experimental validation of a numerical model for the transport of firebrands

The paper deals with the experimental validation of a numerical model for the transport and combustion of cylindrical and disk-shaped firebrands. The model solves the conservation equations of brand mass, kinetic and angular momentum, and volume. Validation consists in predicting the mass and spatial distributions of glowing firebrands that were produced from the experimental generator developed by Manzello and coworkers [S.L. Manzello, J.R. Shields, T.G. Cleary, A. Maranghides, W.E. Mell, J.C. Yang, Y. Hayashi, D. Nii, T. Kurita, On the development and characterization of a firebrand generator, Fire Saf. J. 43 (2008) 258–268]. Ten thousand firebrands per run are released with initial conditions that are randomly generated according to probability distribution functions deduced from experimental mass and spatial distributions under no-wind conditions. Whatever the wind conditions considered, numerical results are found to be in good agreement with experimental data.     

地下洞室群自然通风网络计算机分析模型

依据自然通风网络稳定流动的物理规律和图论的相关理论,对热源形式作了简化,建立了约束气流温度参数的补充方程组,推导出其矩阵表达式;根据网络分支流量一温度参数的耦合特点,提出模型求解的一种数值计算方法,得到自然通风网络的计算机分析模型。     

万州天生城危岩体成因分析及稳定性评价

根据勘探钻孔资料,对万州天生城一带危岩体的特征及成因进行了详细的分析,结果表明：天生城危岩体的形成主要受裂隙,软弱层以及卸荷带的控制,强发育区主要分布在第一级陡崖南段,长450m,选取南侧陡崖段典型危岩体进行了稳定性计算,计算结果表明危岩体在暴雨作用下稳定性明显降低,南段危岩的治理是整个天生城危岩带治理的重中之重。     

CHEOPS: a simplified tool for thermal assessment of Mediterranean residential buildings in hot and cold seasons

The Mediterranean climate is characterized by a high level of the solar resource in winter and some coolness of the nights in summer, which offer a good opportunity for thermal comfort achievement at low energy cost and reduced CO₂ emissions, provided that an appropriate design of the building envelope is adopted. It has thus been decided to implement some regulations in three countries of North-Africa for controlling the heating and cooling loads. The study described in this paper has been conducted in the frame of this project. It has two objectives: to define adequate indicators for the thermal performance of buildings during both the cold season and the hot one, and to develop a standard calculation procedure for these indicators. The developed procedure, CHEOPS, is fast and requires minimum input data; it is very easy to use, the steps for calculating the cooling and heating coefficients being almost the same. The transmission losses and the solar gains are clearly identified; this fact can contribute to a better understanding by the designer of the effect of each parameter, leading him towards the appropriate trade-offs between summer and winter considerations.