• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.441-445
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• 2001

In this work we investigated distribution of the natural and artificial radioactive nuclides and level of the regional background in soil in Busan. For 45 points, the environmental radioactivity concentration of Busan surface soil is $14.38{\sim}57.03\;(mean\;:\;33.95)\;Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ for $^{226}Ra,\;2.41{\sim}86.58\;(mean\;:\;51.08)\;Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ for $^{228}Ra,\;223.64{\sim}1332.30\;(mean\;668.51)\;Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ for $^{40}K$ and $<0.33{\sim}33.37\;(mean:13.74) Bq{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ for $^{137}Cs$. Also, in order to investigate vertical distribution for radioactivity, we examined radioactive concentration with mountain height. But there was no correlation between radiaoactivity distribution and mountain height. The $^{226}Ra/^{228}Ra$ and $^{226}Ra/^{40}K$ concentration ratios were $0.68{\pm}19 %$ and $0.06{\pm}34%$, respectively.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2019

High-level radioactive waste (HLW) such as spent fuel is inevitably produced when nuclear power plants are operated. A geological repository has been considered as one of the most adequate options for the disposal of HLW, and it will be constructed in host rock at a depth of 500~1,000 meters below ground level with the concept of an engineered barrier system (EBS) and a natural barrier system. The compacted bentonite buffer is one of the most important components of the EBS. As the compacted bentonite buffer is located between disposal canisters with spent fuel and the host rock, it can restrain the release of radionuclides and protect canisters from the inflow of groundwater. Because of inflow of groundwater into the compacted bentonite buffer, it is essential to investigate soil-water characteristic curves (SWCC) of the compacted bentonite buffer in order to evaluate the entire safety performance of the EBS. Therefore, this paper conducted laboratory experiments to analyze the SWCC for a Korean Ca-type compacted bentonite buffer considering dry density, confined or unconfined condition, and drying or wetting path. There was no significant difference of SWCC considering dry density under unconfined condition. Furthermore, it was found that there was higher water suction in unconfined condition that in confined condition, and higher water suction during drying path than during wetting path.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.213-226
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• 2019

Regulatory agency and licensee are preparing for the site restoration of Kori unit 1, the first commercial NPP in Korea, scheduled for 2031. Developing regulatory guidelines and strategies is essential for effective restoration work. Unfortunately, Korea does not have experience of site restoration of commercial NPPs. Therefore, it is important to review cases from experienced countries to establish a strategy and regulatory standards. The U.S. has had numerous soil remediation experiences using RESRAD and MARSSIM. However, formalized evaluation methodologies for subsurface soil have not yet been established in MARSSIM. This survey focused on subsurface soil remediation by reviewing the five decommissioned NPPs under regulation of the US NRC. Overall process of remediating a contaminated subsurface soil and groundwater was reviewed to identify considerations and lessons that could be applicable in Korea. In addition, an applied methodology for evaluation of contaminated subsurface soil and related major issues between regulatory agency and licensees were reviewed in detail to support establishment of remediation strategy for Kori unit 1.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.1289-1296
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• 2020

The estimation of radioactivity level is vital for population health risk assessment and geological point of view and can be evaluated as rate of exhalation and source concentration (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K). The present study deals with the soil samples for investigation of radionuclides content and exhalation rates of radon -thoron gas from different sites in northern Haryana, India. Absorbed dose and associated index estimated in the present study are the measures of environmental radioactivity to inhalation dose. Effective doses received by different tissues and organs by considering different occupancy and conditions are also measured. Exhalation rates of radon and thoron are measured with active scintillation monitors based on alpha spectroscopy namely scintillation radon (SRM) and thoron (STM) monitors respectively. Sample height was optimized before measurement of thoron exhalation rate using STM. Average values of radon and thoron exhalation are found 16.6 ± 0.7 mBqkg^-1h^-1 and 132.1 ± 2.6 mBqm^-2s^-1 respectively. Also, a simple approach was also adopted, to evaluate the thoron exhalation which accomplished a lot of challenges, the results are compared with the data obtained experimentally. The study is useful in the nationwide mapping of radon and thoron exhalation rates for understanding the environmental radioactivity status.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.275-280
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• 2015

In order to measure the Radionuclides and Concentration, the directly grinded land samples (river soil, pine leaves and mugwort) among the environment samples around the nuclear power plant were filled in a 450 mL Marinelli beaker and weighed to obtain the dry mass ratio of the samples. Then the background and land samples were measured for 80,000 sec. The analysis of the collected land samples showed that most of them contained less radiation nuclide than the detection minimum limit in the 'Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Public Notice No. 2010-32.'In others, the natural radionuclides $^{40}K$ were detected. Of the products of nuclear reaction discharged by a nuclear reaction, $^{134}Cs$ and $^{137}Cs$ are more easily detected, and their discharge sources can be traced using the relative ratio. Although the radioactive concentration in the vicinity of Kori Nuclear Power Plant, which is more than 1,100km away from Fukushima, the Japanese nuclear accident site, continuous monitoring is needed as the radionuclides can still be accumulated in the soil or animals and plants.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.46-57
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• 2011

In this study, analytical solution of multip-species transport equations coupled with a first-order reaction network under constant concentration boundary condition or total flux boundary condition is obtained using similarity transformation approach of Clement et al. (2000). The study shows the schematic process about how multi-species transport equations with first-order sequential reaction network is transformed through the similarity transformation approach into independent and uncoupled single species transport equations with first-order reaction. The analytical solution was verified through the comparison with popular commercial programs such as 2DFATMIC and RT3D. The analytical solution can be utilized in nuclear waste sites where radioactive contaminants and their daughter products occur and in industrial complex cities where chlorinated solvent such as PCE, TCE, and its biodegradation products produces. In addition, it can help the verification of the developed numerical code.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.251-268
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• 1986

Selecting a site for the safe disposal of radioactive waste requires the evaluation of a wide range of geologic, mineralogic, hydrologic, and physicochemical properties. Although highly diverse, these properties are in fact interrelated. Site requirements are also diverse because they are influenced by the nature of the radionuclides in the waste, for example, their half-lives, specific energy, and chemistry. A fundamental consideration in site selection is the mineralogy of the host rock, and one of the most ubiquitous mineral groups is clay minerals. Clays and clay minerals as in situ lithologic components and engineered barriers may playa significant role in retarding the migration of radionuclides. Their high sorptivity, longevity (stability), low permeability, and other physical factors should make them a very effective retainer of most radionuclides in nuclear wastes. There are, however, some unanswered questions. For example, how will their longevity and physicochemical properties be influenced by such factors as radionuclide concentration, radiation intensity, elevated temperatures, changes in redox condition, pH, and formation fluids for extended periods of time? Understanding of mechanisms affecting clay mineral-radionuclide interactions under prevailing geochemical conditions is important; however, the utilization of experimental geochemical information related to physicochemical properties of clays and clay-bearing materials with geohydrologic models presents a uniquely challenging problem in that many assessments have to be based on model predictions rather than on experiments. These are high-priority research investigations that need to be addressed before complete reliance for disposal area performance is made on clays and clay minerals.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.9-15
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• 2023

In order to properly evaluate the spatio-temporal variations of groundwater flow, the data obtained in field experiments should be corroborated into numerical simulations. Particle tracking method is a simple simulation tool often employed in groundwater simulation to predict groundwater flow paths or solute transport paths. Particle tracking simulations visually show overall the particle flow path along the entire aquifer, but no previous simulation studies has yet described the parameter values at grid nodes around the particle path. Therefore, in this study, a new technical approach was proposed that enables acquisition of parameters associated with particle transport in grid nodes distributed in the center of the particle path in groundwater. Since the particle tracking path is commonly referred to as streamline, the algorithm and codes developed in this works designated streamline analysis method. The streamline analysis method can be applied in two-dimensional and three-dimensional finite element or finite difference grid networks, and can be utilized not only in the groundwater field but also in all fields that perform numerical modeling.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2013

The original pilot-scale electrokinetic equipment suitable to soil contamination characteristics of Korean nuclear facility sites was manufactured for the remediation of soil contaminated with uranium. During the experiment with the original electrokinetic equipment, many metal oxides were generated and were stuck on the cathode plate. The uranium removal capability of the original electrokinrtic equipment was almost exhausted because the cathode plate covered with metal oxides did not conduct electricity in the original electrokinetic equipment. Therefore, the original electrokinetic equipment was improved. After the remediation experience for 25 days using the improved electrokinetic remediation equipment, the removal efficiency of uranium from the soil was 96.8% and its residual uranium concentration was 0.81 Bq/g. When the initial uranium concentration of soil was about 50 Bq/g, the electrokinetic remediation time required to remediate the uranium concentration below clearance concentration of 1.0 Bq/g was about 34 days. When the initial uranium concentration of soil was about 75 Bq/g, the electrokinetic remediation time required to remediate below 1.0 Bq/g was about 42 days. When the initial uranium concentration of soil was about 100 Bq/g, the electrokinetic remediation time required to remediate below 1.0 Bq/g was about 49 days.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2013

To see if slaked lime and organic fertilizer applications to soil are useful as countermeasures for reducing $^{99}Tc$ concentrations in rice seeds after $^{99}Tc$ contamination of paddy fields, pot experiments were performed for two different paddy soils in a greenhouse. The upper soils for a depth of about 20 cm were treated with the agricultural materials and $^{99}Tc$ 15 d before transplanting. The effects were compared using the transfer factor (TF) defined as the ratio of the plant concentration to the soil concentration. In the case of control plants, TF values for brown rice in the two soils were $4.1{\times}10^{-4}$ and $4.3{\times}10^{-4}$. Of various types of the application, only the application of slaked lime at a lower dose (about 0.6 kg $m^{-2}$), which led to a 60% reduction in the TF value for one soil, seemed to be worth using as a countermeasure. Little effect of the same application was found in the other soil so it is important to determine the effect averaged for a number of soils. Organic fertilizer applications at both of two different doses increased the TF value. It is considered necessary to perform experiments for slake lime applications at doses lower than the above.