Effect of gamma radiation on groundwater chemistry and glass leaching as related to the NNWSI repository site

To address the effect of ionizing radiation on groundwater chemistry and waste form durability, NNWSI is performing an extensive set of experiments as a function of dose rate (2 x 10{sup 5}, 1 x 10{sup 4}, 1 x 10{sup 3}, and 0 rad/h). The results of the tests done at 2 x 10{sup 5} rad/h have been reported, while the 1 x 10{sup 3} and 0 rad/h tests are in progress. This paper presents an overview of the results of the tests done at 1 x 10{sup 4} rad/h and discusses the relevance of these tests to repository conditions. An interpretation of the results relating to the manner by which the glass waste form corrodes is presented elsewhere. A complete discussion of the effect of gamma radiation on groundwater chemistry and waste form durability will be presented when the series of experiments are complete