Analysis of Dose from the Pathways through Groundwater in Shallow Land Burial of Radioactive Waste

To identify characteristics of radiation dose and important parameters in calculation of the dose from the pathway through groundwater in shallow land burial of radioactive waste, calculation of dose, sensitivity analysis and pathway analysis were carried out under a specific calculation condition. Following results were obtained: (1) For groundwater migration scenario, the pathway of direct drinking of groundwater is an important one. (2) The critical pathway differs with nuclides and changes with time. (3) Doses from use of river or lake water are several orders of magnitude smaller than that from use of groundwater. (4) When the disposal site is located at a coastal area, the critical pathway is ingestion of sea products and the doses are several orders of magnitude smaller than those at an inland area. (5) The groundwater velocity and the distribution coefficient are important parameters in calculation of radionuclide concentration in groundwater.