A theoretical consideration of the migration of radionuclides in frozen grounds

Phenomenological equations of the transfer of moisture and water-soluble co mpounds in frozen grounds were derived and substantiated. Processes of the migration of radionuclides in frozen grounds under the action of the gradie nts of hydrostatic pressure, temperature, total concentration of water-solu ble compounds, and concentration of radionuclides were considered. It was s hown that experimental methods for the determination of the transfer charac teristics and their assessment, and also the methods for predicting radionu clide transfer processes in frozen grounds should provide a clear distincti on between driving forces and fluxes of the convective and diffusion transf er. The ratio between the convection and diffusion fluxes was estimated at different concentrations of water-soluble compounds and temperature regimen s. Based on the consideration of processes of the radionuclide transfer in frozen grounds, measures providing a long-term localization of buried radio active waste were recommended.