Radionuclide Gas Transport through Nuclear Explosion-Generated Fracture Networks.

ABSTRACT: Underground nuclear weapon testing produces radionuclide gases which may seep to the surface. Barometric pumping of gas through explosion-fractured rock is investigated using a new sequentially-coupled hydrodynamic rock damage/gas transport model. Fracture networks are produced for two rock types (granite and tuff) and three depths of burial. The fracture networks are integrated into a flow and transport numerical model driven by surface pressure signals of differing amplitude and variability. There are major differences between predictions using a realistic fracture network and prior results that used a simplified geometry. Matrix porosity and maximum fracture aperture have the greatest impact on gas breakthrough time and window of opportunity for detection, with different effects between

SUBMITTER: Jordan AB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4682097 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature