Modelling of High Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Impacts on Aquifer Systems

Many countries that peacefully use the nuclear energy develop disposal facilities for safe final disposal of radioactive waste. Currently, the best option for high level waste is the disposal in a geological formation. The development of a safe concept and design of a geological disposal involves also hydrogeological research. This doctoral thesis introduces results of hydrogeological research in framework of the geological disposal development in Belgium – in the Boom Clay. The main method used during this doctoral research was groundwater modelling integrating data gained during site investigation. This thesis includes groundwater flow models analysing the aquifers at the regional scale and groundwater transport models simulating spreading of contamination originated in the hypothetical repository in the aquifers.