Natural Sorbents as Barriers Against Migration of Radionuclides from Radioactive Waste Repositories

Sorption properties of natural occurring minerals (zeolites, clays and loess) of Bulgarian origin are studied in order to estimate their application as engineered and natural barriers, which retard the migration of radionuclides from radioactive waste repositories. A mineral rock, which contains clinoptilolite and celadonite, is proposed as a backfill for low- and intermediate-level waste repositories and as an in situ permeable barrier for the decontamination of radionuclide-contaminated groundwater.