Economic and Environmental Geology (자원환경지질)

The Korean Society of Economic and Environmental Geology (대한자원환경지질학회)
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Study of Mobility for Radionuclides in Nuclear Facility Sites

원자력 시설물 주변에서의 방사성 오염물 거동 특성 연구

  • Chang, Seeun (Division of Advanced Nuclear Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)) ;
  • Park, JongKul (Division of Advanced Nuclear Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)) ;
  • Um, Wooyong (Division of Advanced Nuclear Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH))
  • 장세은 (포항공과대학교 첨단원자력공학부) ;
  • 박종걸 (포항공과대학교 첨단원자력공학부) ;
  • 엄우용 (포항공과대학교 첨단원자력공학부)
  • Received : 2018.03.12
  • Accepted : 2018.04.05
  • Published : 2018.04.28
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Abstract

In this study three target radionuclides ($^{60}Co$, $^{137}Cs$, and $^{125}Sb$) were reacted with solid samples collected from the nuclear facility sites to investigate their sorption and mobility behaviors for preparing unexpected nuclear accidents. The highest sorption distribution coefficients ($K_{ds}$) of target radionuclides ($^{60}Co=947mL/g$, $^{137}Cs=2105mL/g$, $^{125}Sb=81.3mL/g$) were found in topsoil layer under groundwater condition, and the $K_d$ values of three radionuclides decreased in the order of fractured rock and bedrock samples under the same groundwater condition. High $K_d$ values of $^{60}Co$ in topsoil layer and fracture rock resulted from the clay minerals present, and the $K_d$ values decreased 58-69 % under seawater condition due to high ionic strength. $^{137}Cs$ sorption was controlled by the ion exchange reaction with $K^+$ on flayed edge sites (FES) of mica. The $^{137}Cs$ sorption was the most affected by seawater (89-97 % decrease), while $^{125}Sb$ sorption was not much affected by seawater. As the results of column and batch experiments, the retardation factors (R) of $^{137}Cs$, $^{60}Co$, and $^{125}Sb$ were determined about 5400-7400, 2000-2500, and 250-415, respectively, indicating no significant transport for these radionuclides even in fractured zone with groundwater. These results suggest that even in the case of severe nuclear accident at the nuclear facilities the mobility of released radionuclides ($^{60}Co$, $^{137}Cs$, and $^{125}Sb$) can be significantly retarded by the topsoil layer and fractured rock. In addition, the results of this study will be used for the safety and environmental performance assessment of nuclear facilities.

본 연구에서는 원자력 시설물에 존재하는 핵종의 의도치 않은 유출사고를 대비하기 위해서 세 가지 대표 핵종 ($^{60}Co$, $^{137}Cs$, $^{125}Sb$)을 원자력 시설물 지역에서 채취한 시료와 반응하여 핵종들의 흡착 및 거동 특성을 조사하였다. 가장 높은 흡착계수 값들은 ($^{60}Co=947mL/g$, $^{137}Cs=2105mL/g$, $^{125}Sb=81.3mL/g$) 지하수 환경일 때 상부토층 시료에서 나타났으며, 파쇄대 > 기반암 시료의 순으로 $K_d$ 값이 감소하였다. 상부토층과 파쇄대에서 $^{60}Co$의 높은 흡착계수는 상부토층 및 파쇄대에 존재하는 점토광물에 의한 것으로 사료되며, 해수 조건에서는 높은 이온강도로 인해서 $K_d$ 값은 약 58 - 69 % 감소하였다. $^{137}Cs$의 흡착은 주로 백운모의 Flayed edge site (FES)에서 $K^+$과의 이온교환 반응에 의한 것으로 사료된다. $^{137}Cs$의 흡착이 해수 조건에서 가장 크게 영향을 받으며 (89 - 97 % 감소), $^{125}Sb$은 대표 핵종 중 해수에 의한 이온강도 변화에 가장 미미한 변화를 보였다. 칼럼 및 배치 흡착 실험 결과 파쇄대 시료 (F-1, F-2)에서 $^{137}Cs$의 지연계수 (R) 값은 약 5400 - 7400, $^{60}Co$의 경우는 약 2000 - 2500, $^{125}Sb$의 경우는 약 250 - 415의 범위를 보여주므로 대표핵종들이 파쇄대에서도 매우 낮은 거동을 보일 것으로 사료된다. 대표 핵종 $^{137}Cs$, $^{60}Co$, $^{125}Sb$들은 모두 상부토층 및 파쇄대에서 가장 높은 $K_d$ 값을 나타내므로, 원전 시설물에서 예상치 못한 중대사고가 발생하여 핵종이 환경으로 유출되더라도 상부토층 및 파쇄대 구간에서 대부분 흡착되어 이동이 상당히 지연될 것으로 예측된다. 이러한 결과는 원자력 시설물의 안전성 및 환경영향 평가 자료로 활용될 것으로 기대된다.

Keywords

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