Subhorizontal fractures in a granitic pluton: Their detection and implications for radioactive waste disposal

Geophysics ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 1428-1449 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. Green ◽  
J. A. Mair
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Crystalline Rock ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Radioactive Waste Disposal ◽  
Rock Body ◽  
Integrated Interpretation ◽  
Borehole Logs ◽  
Deep Boreholes ◽  
Nuclear Fuel Waste

Several countries are actively investigating the feasibility of using crystalline rock bodies for the ultimate disposal of radioactive nuclear waste. As part of the concept assessment phase in the Canadian nuclear fuel waste management program, a multidisciplinary research investigation is being conducted across the Lac du Bonnet batholith in southeastern Manitoba; no radioactive materials, other than sealed sources or tracers, are to be emplaced within this rock body. The results of a high‐resolution seismic reflection survey, together with information from a number of deep boreholes, demonstrates that major subhorizontal fractures occur at depths of up to 800 m within the batholith. An integrated interpretation of the seismic data with selected borehole logs shows that warm water is flowing up the major fractures from depth. A natural corollary of these results is that a three‐dimensional seismic reflection survey combined with an appropriate exploratory drilling program has the potential for delineating blocks of a rock body that may be relatively unfractured.

The determination of true orientations of fractures in rock cores

1983 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. O. Lau
Keyword(s):  
Stereographic Projection ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Reference Line ◽  
Spherical Trigonometry ◽  
Mathematical Methods ◽  
Analytical Geometry ◽  
Deep Boreholes ◽  
Nuclear Fuel Waste ◽  
Apparent Orientation

Determination of the true orientations of fractures in diamond drill cores obtained from deep boreholes in plutonic bodies is an essential requirement of the geoscience component of the Canadian Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program. A reference line can be painted on the entire length of the rock core, indicating the orientation of the core, and the apparent orientation of the fracture can be measured from this reference line. This paper describes three methods that have been developed to convert the apparent orientation to true orientation, namely, stereographic projection, spherical trigonometry, and analytical geometry. The results obtained from these techniques were compared to assess their relative accuracy. Whereas the graphical method is more readily adaptable for use in the field, the mathematical methods can be computer-programmed and the programs GEOCORE and ORIENTC are available from the Geological Survey of Canada to facilitate the calculation of large volumes of data. Keywords: true orientation, fracture, rock core, stereographic projection, spherical trigonometry, analytical geometry.

scholarly journals Preliminary results are in from mid-ocean ridge three-dimensional seismic reflection survey

Eos ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 80 (16) ◽  
pp. 181 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Singh ◽  
M. C. Sinha ◽  
A. J. Harding ◽  
G. M. Kent ◽  
P. J. Barton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Mid Ocean Ridge ◽  
Ocean Ridge

Site Decommissioning of AECL Whiteshell Laboratories

2004 ◽  
Vol 824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant W. Koroll
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Nuclear Research ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Nuclear Facilities ◽  
Safety Research ◽  
Nuclear Installation ◽  
Underground Research Laboratory ◽  
Nuclear Fuel Waste

AbstractAECL Whiteshell Laboratories (WL), near Winnipeg, Canada has been in operation since the early 1960s. R&D programs carried out at WL include a 60 MW organic-cooled research reactor, which operated from 1965 to 1985, reactor safety research, small reactor development, materials science, post irradiation examinations, chemistry, biophysics and radiation applications. The Canadian Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program was conducted and continues to operate at WL and also at the nearby Underground Research Laboratory.In the late-1990s, AECL began to consolidate research and development activities at its Chalk River Laboratories (CRL) and began preparations for decommissioning WL. Preparations for decommissioning included a staged shutdown of operations, planning documentation and licensing for decommissioning. As a prerequisite to AECL's application for a decommissioning licence, an environmental assessment (EA) was carried out according to Canadian environmental assessment legislation. The EA concluded in 2002 April when the Federal Environment Minister published his decision that WL decommissioning was not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects and that no further assessment by a review panel or mediation would be requiredIn 2002 December, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issued a decommissioning licence for WL, valid until December 31, 2008. The licence authorized the first planned phase of site decommissioning as well as the continuation of selected research programs. The six-year licence for Whiteshell Laboratories was the first overall decommissioning license issued for a Canadian Nuclear Research and Test Establishment and was the longest licence term ever granted for a nuclear installation of this complexity in Canada.The first phase of decommissioning is now underway and focuses on decontamination and modifications to nuclear facilities, such as the shielded facilities, the main R&D laboratories and the associated service systems, to achieve a safe state of storage-with-surveillance. Later phases have planned waste management improvements for selected wastes already in storage, eventually followed by final decommissioning of facilities and infrastructure and removal of most wastes from the site.This paper provides an overview of the planning, environmental assessment, licensing, and organizational processes for decommissioning and selected descriptions of decommissioning activities currently underway at AECL Whiteshell Laboratories.

Tectonic implications of seismic activity recorded by the northern Ontario seismograph network

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 376-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Wetmiller ◽  
M. G. Cajka
Keyword(s):  
Horizontal Stress ◽  
Seismic Profile ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Earthquake Activity ◽  
Seismic Velocities ◽  
Northern Ontario ◽  
Focal Mechanism Solutions ◽  
National Networks ◽  
Nuclear Fuel Waste ◽  
Seismograph Network

The northern Ontario seismograph network, which has operated under the Canadian Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program since 1982, has provided valuable data to supplement those recorded by the Canadian national networks on earthquake activity, rockburst activity, the distribution of regional seismic velocities, and the contemporary stress field in northern Ontario. The combined networks recorded the largest earthquake known in northwestern Ontario, M 3.9 near Sioux Lookout on February 11, 1984, and many smaller earthquakes in northeastern Ontario. Focal mechanism solutions of these and older events showed high horizontal stress and thrust faulting to be the dominant features of the contemporary tectonics of northern Ontario. The zone of more intense earthquake activity in western Quebec appeared to extend northwestward into the Kapuskasing area of northeastern Ontario, where an area of persistent microearthquake activity had been identified by a seismograph station near Kapuskasing.Controlled explosions of the 1984 Kapuskasing Uplift seismic profile experiment recorded on the northern Ontario seismograph network showed the presence of anomalously high LG velocities in northeastern Ontario (3.65 km/s) that when properly taken into account reduced the mislocation errors of well-recorded seismic events by 50% on average.

Crustal structure and surface zonation of the Canadian Appalachians: implications of deep seismic reflection data

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Marillier ◽  
Charlotte E. Keen ◽  
Glen S. Stockmal ◽  
Garry Quinlan ◽  
Harold Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Seismic Profiles ◽  
Crust And Upper Mantle ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Central Block ◽  
Reflection Data ◽  
Lower Crustal ◽  
Canadian Appalachians

In 1986, 1181 km of marine seismic reflection data was collected to 18–20 s of two-way traveltime in the Gulf of St. Lawrence area. The seismic profiles sample all major surface tectono-stratigraphic zones of the Canadian Appalachians. They complement the 1984 deep reflection survey northeast of Newfoundland. Together, the seismic profiles reveal the regional three-dimensional geometry of the orogen.Three lower crustal blocks are distinguished on the seismic data. They are referred to as the Grenville, Central, and Avalon blocks, from west to east. The Grenville block is wedge shaped in section, and its subsurface edge follows the form of the Appalachian structural front. The Grenville block abuts the Central block at mid-crustal to mantle depths. The Avalon block meets the Central block at a steep junction that penetrates the entire crust.Consistent differences in the seismic character of the Moho help identify boundaries of the deep crustal blocks. The Moho signature varies from uniform over extended distances to irregular with abrupt depth changes. In places the Moho is offset by steep reflections that cut the lower crust and upper mantle. In other places, the change in Moho elevation is gradual, with lower crustal reflections following its form. In all three blocks the crust is generally highly reflective, with no distinction between a transparent upper crust and reflective lower crust.In general, Carboniferous and Mesozoic basins crossed by the seismic profiles overlie thinner crust. However, a deep Moho is found at some places beneath the Carboniferous Magdalen Basin.The Grenville block belongs to the Grenville Craton; the Humber Zone is thrust over its dipping southwestern edge. The Dunnage Zone is allochthonous above the opposing Grenville and Central blocks. The Gander Zone may be the surface expression of the Central block or may be allochthonous itself. There is a spatial analogy between the Avalon block and the Avalon Zone. Our profile across the Meguma Zone is too short to seismically distinguish this zone from the Avalon Zone.

Materials Research for the Canadian Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program

1981 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald J. Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Hard Rock ◽  
Technology Development ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Materials Research ◽  
Backfill Materials ◽  
Nuclear Fuel Waste ◽  
Irradiated Fuel ◽  
Selection Of

ABSTRACTNuclear fuel waste disposal research in Canada is concentrating on hard-rock disposal. The research programs concerned with the man-made components of the disposal system are reviewed. Irradiated fuel and solidified reprocessing wastes are both being researched, as are durable containers, and buffer and backfill materials. This review concentrates mainly on the more scientific aspects of the research, which contribute to the selection of preferred options for the various components of the system, and which support directly or indirectly the safety analysis of the disposal concept. Some technology development is included in the program now, and this is expected to expand as confidence in the acceptability of the disposal concept grows.

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