Jonas Mažeika

Modelling of coupled groundwater flow and radionuclide transport in crystalline basement using FEFLOW 5.0

Abstract The strategy of radioactive waste management of Lithuania provides for evaluating the possibilities of disposal of spent nuclear fuel and long‐lived radioactive waste originated from Ignalina NPP in deep geological formations. The initial studies performed in Lithuania during 2001–2004 focused on screening of all potentially prospective geological formations as host formations. Since most information is available on crystalline basement, this formation was selected for the model case studies. Taking into account the assumptions (canister defect scenario proposed by Swedish experts and evaluated by LEI experts), groundwater flow and radionuclide (iodine‐129 as mobile and long‐lived one) transport modelling using computer code FEFLOW was performed according to geosphere conditions and parameters characteristic of the southern part of Lithuania (0,8×0,6×0,52 km far‐field block). The upward groundwater flow through defected canister located in tectonically damaged zone was simulated. The main results...

Δ 14 C and δ 13 C Variations in Organic Fractions of Baltic Sea Sediments

This article investigates variations of Δ 14 C and δ 13 C of total organic carbon (TOC) in sediments as well as in humic acids, lipid, and phospholipid fractions isolated from the surface (0-3 cm) sediment samples collected in the Curo- nian Lagoon and in the Baltic Sea. This study was performed to estimate relative contributions of the marine and terrestrial inputs to organic carbon in sediments, to assess a possible effect of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination on radiocarbon signatures, and to elucidate a possible leakage of chemical warfare agents (CWA) at the Gotland Deep dumpsite. Depleted Δ 14 C values of the TOC (down to -453‰) and of the total lipid extracts (down to -812.4‰) were detected at the CWA dumpsite. Application of the compound-specific method indicated a possible effect of CWA on depleted Δ14C and δ13C values in the investigated organic carbon fractions. The obtained results have indicated the different origin and behavior of lipids and TOC at the CWA dumpsite as compared to the area affected by the terrestrial-freshwater OC input. The Δ14C data of the TOC and total lipid extracts showed that recent sediments at the CWA dumpsite contain an excess of fossil carbon capable of influencing the 14 C dating at the site.

Preliminary evaluation of 14C and 36Clin nuclear waste from Ignalina NuclearPower Plant decommissioning

Abstract On a first attempt, the determination of 14C and 36Cl activity concentrations in basic operational waste (spent ion-exchange resins and perlite mixture), in decommissioning waste (construction concrete, sand, stainless steel and serpentinite) and irradiated graphite from the Ignalina NPP has been performed. The samples for measurement of the specific activity of 14C and 36Cl were obtained from the selected places, where the highest values of the dose rate and the activity concentrations of gamma emitters were found. The performed study of the total 14C and 36Cl activity concentrations was based on estimated chemical forms of 14C (inorganic and organic compounds) and 36Cl as Cl- ion. The tested methods used in this study were found to be suitable for estimation of activity concentrations of measured radionuclides.

Constraints of Radiocarbon Dating in Southeastern Baltic Lagoons: Assessing the Vital Effects

During the past decades, a suite of radiocarbon (14C), infrared optically stimulated luminescence (IR-OSL), and electron spin resonance (ESR) dates were compiled on a variety of materials from the Curonian and Vistula lagoons and spits of the southeastern Baltic Sea. These dated materials generally included lagoon sediments and mollusc shells, along with samples of fossil fish remains, peat, wood, and water bicarbonates. A growing number of 14C dates (conventional and AMS) demonstrates disparities and contradictions with the associated IR-OSL dates and palaeobotanical investigations of contemporary materials. Detailed analyses of 14C, IR-OSL and ESR chronologies and experimental 14C dating of modern live molluscs and water bicarbonates from the Curonian Lagoon and its main tributary – Nemunas-Neris River system – reveals a substantial influx of “old” carbonates into the lagoon. As a result, the uncertainty of reservoir effect added a considerable error to the 14C ages. Moreover, fossil molluscs of the same species extracted from boreholes and outcrops yield significantly younger ages (up to several millennia) than the enclosing sediments. Both of these trends – aging and rejuvenation – highlight an urgent need for constraining the local reservoir correction (ΔR). Several scenarios are presented to explain the impact of vital effects on radiocarbon chronology of carbonates and to offer strategies to account for them in future studies.

Radionuclide and Heat Transport from Hypothetical SNF Canister in Crystalline Basement, Case of South-Eastern Lithuania

Abstract The Strategy on Radioactive Waste Management of Lithuania (Radioaktyviųjų… 2008) envisages evaluating the possibilities of disposal of spent nuclear fuel and long-lived radioactive waste from operation and decommissioning of Ignalina NPP in a deep geological repository. The crystalline basement and sedimentary cover of south-eastern Lithuania was selected for the current model case studies due to availability of geological and hydrogeological data from previous explorations. Groundwater flow, radionuclide (iodine-129 as mobile and long-lived one) transport and heat transfer, modelling using computer code FEFLOW was performed. The model domain of south-eastern Lithuania comprises Protero-zoic-Archaean aquifer with overlaying aquifers system of sedimentary cover. The upward groundwater flow through defected canister located in tectonically damaged zone was conservatively generated. The main results of calculations are following: in case of upward groundwater flow, the maximum activity concentration...

Comparison of beta (LSC) and gamma (HPGe) spectrometric methods for lead-210 in chronological study

Abstract The sediments of two lakes located in the Baltic Uplands, the western part of the East European Plain (East Lithuania and North East Poland), were studied. Activity concentration of 210Pb was determined using two nuclear analytical techniques: determination of 210Pb in equilibrium with its beta emitting daughter 210Bi using liquid scintillation counter (LSC), and direct determination of 210Pb (and other radionuclides) by low-background gamma-ray spectrometer with a well type HPGe detector. For the 210Pb determination by LSC the methodology of lead separation based on the anion exchange resin in Cl– form (Eichrom) was used. Several steps of radiochemical procedures and respective parameters were investigated additionally. The optimized procedures for LSC method were used for case study with two lake cores. The activity concentration of 210Pb in lake sediment samples based on both nuclear analytical techniques (LSC and HPGe) were compared. 210Pb dating of cores was performed according to Constant Rate of 210Pb Supply (CRS) model with some modifications. Both techniques in the range of uncertainties gave similar results. From two considered lakes, the more eutrophic one exhibited higher sediment mass accumulation rate (MAR) values.

Assessment of Tritium Activity in Groundwater at the Nuclear Objects Sites in Lithuania

The assessment of nuclear objects sites in Lithuania, including groundwater characterization, took place in the last few years. Tritium activity in groundwater is a very useful tool for determining how groundwater systems function. Natural and artificial tritium was measured in 8 wells in different layers (from 1.5 to 15 meters depth). The results were compared with other regions of Lithuania also. The evaluated tritium activities varied from 1.8 to 6.4 Bq/L at nuclear objects sites in Lithuania and they are coming to background level (1.83 Bq/L) and other places in Lithuania. The data show, that groundwater at the nuclear power objects sites is not contaminated with artificial tritium. In this work, the vertical tritium transfer from soil water to the groundwater well at nuclear objects site was estimated. The data show that the main factor for vertical tritium transfer to the well depends on the depth of wells.