2 billion year old natural analogs for nuclear waste disposal: the natural nuclear fission reactors in Gabon (Africa)

François Gauthier-Lafaye

doi:10.1016/S1631-0705(02)01351-8

Du combustible nucléaire aux déchets : recherches actuelles/From nuclear fuels to waste: current research

2 billion year old natural analogs for nuclear waste disposal: the natural nuclear fission reactors in Gabon (Africa)
[Des analogues naturels de sites de stockage de déchets nucléaires vieux de 2 milliards d'années : les réacteurs de fission nucléaire naturels du Gabon (Afrique)]

François Gauthier-Lafaye ¹

¹ Centre de géochimie de la surface, UMR7517-CNRS-ULP, 1, rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg cedex, France

Comptes Rendus. Physique, Volume 3 (2002) no. 7-8, pp. 839-849.

Abstract (VO)
Résumé

Two billion years ago, the increase of oxygen in atmosphere and the high ²³⁵U/²³⁸U uranium ratio (>3%) made possible the occurrence of natural nuclear reactors on Earth. These reactors are considered to be a good natural analogue for nuclear waste disposal. Their preservation during such a long period of time is mainly due to the geological stability of the site, the occurrence of clays surrounding the reactors and acting as an impermeable shield, and the occurrence of organic matter that maintained the environment in reducing conditions, favourable for the stability of uraninite. Hydrogeochemical studies and modelling have shown the complexity of the geochemical system at Oklo and Bangombé (Gabon) and the lack of precise data about uranium and fission products retention and migration mechanisms in geological environments.

Il y a 2 milliard d'années, les réacteurs nucléaires naturels du Gabon ont fonctionné grâce à l'augmentation de l'oxygène dans l'atmosphère et à un rapport ²³⁵U/²³⁸U de l'uranium élevé (>3 %) à cette époque. Ces réacteurs sont considérés comme de bon analogues naturels de site de stockage de déchets nucléaires. Leur préservation est due en grande partie à la stabilité géologique du site, la présence d'argiles entourant les réacteurs et constituant un bouclier imperméable et à la présence de matières organiques qui a maintenu un milieu réducteur favorable à la stabilité de l'uraninite. Les études hydrogéochimiques et les modélisations géochimiques mettent en évidence la complexité des systèmes géochimiques à Oklo et Bangombé et le manque de données précises sur les mécanismes de rétention et de migration de U et des produits de fission dans des environnements géologiques.

Reçu le : 2002-01-24
Accepté le : 2002-03-20
Publié le : 2002-06-17

DOI : 10.1016/S1631-0705(02)01351-8

Keywords: natural nuclear reactors, natural analogue, Oklo, Bangombé, uranium, precambrian
Mots-clés : réacteurs nucléaires naturels, analogues naturels, Oklo, Bangombé, uranium, précambrien

Affiliations des auteurs :

François Gauthier-Lafaye ¹

¹ Centre de géochimie de la surface, UMR7517-CNRS-ULP, 1, rue Blessig, 67084 Strasbourg cedex, France

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François Gauthier-Lafaye. 2 billion year old natural analogs for nuclear waste disposal: the natural nuclear fission reactors in Gabon (Africa). Comptes Rendus. Physique, Volume 3 (2002) no. 7-8, pp. 839-849. doi : 10.1016/S1631-0705(02)01351-8. https://comptes-rendus.academie-sciences.fr/physique/articles/10.1016/S1631-0705(02)01351-8/

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