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Natural Pyrochlores: Analogues For Actinide Host Phases in Radioactive Waste Forms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

Gregory R. Lumpkin
Affiliation:
University of New Mexico, Geology Department, Albuquerque, NM 87131
Rodney C. Ewing
Affiliation:
University of New Mexico, Geology Department, Albuquerque, NM 87131
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Abstract

Significant amounts of the pyrochlore structure type, and derivative structures like zirconolite, have been reported to occur in crystalline, polyphase, nuclear waste forms [1,2,3,4]. Pyrochlore has abundant and chemically diverse natural analogues. Many of these contain U and Th and have been transformed to the electron-diffraction amorphous, “metamict” state by alpha-recoil nuclei. A variety of geochemical alteration processes may occur before, during, and after reaching the final saturation level for alpha-recoil damage (∼1026 alpha-events/m3 ). The purpose of this paper is to examine these alteration effects in radiation-damaged natural pyrochlores.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1985

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