Various effects of magnetite on international simple glass (ISG) dissolution: implications for the long-term durability of nuclear glasses

Abstract

Geochemistry: towards durable nuclear glasses Immobilization in glass based hosts is the current geological method for disposal of long-lived radioactive waste from used nuclear fuels. A key factor that has to be understood is the fundamental mechanism that controls the glass dissolution in a geological repository involving complex reactions between glass and iron, and iron corrosion products. The team of Stéphane Gin from DTCD SECM in France and Nathalie Wall from Washington State University in the USA, together with their co-workers, are seeking to decode the alteration of glass waste in the presence of iron corrosion products, specifically magnetite. It is determined that products such as magnetite primarily impact a mechanically constrained surface, particularly in the case of non-polished sides. Conversely, almost no influence can be observed on the polished surface. Such findings have implication for the long term durability of nuclear glasses.