Hydrogeological characteristics of Beishan preselected area, Gansu province for China's high-level radioactive waste repository

Groundwater is the major carrier for radionuclide migration in the high level radioactive waste disposal . For this reason the hydrogeological study is one of the main contents in repository siting. According to the field investigation which has been carried out during the last few years and some data from the previous study, this paper describes the general hydrogeological situation and groundwater circulation, as well as chemical characteristics of groundwater in Beishan preselected area, Gansu province. The research shows that main hydrogeological characteristics of the Beishan area is water bearing character, low permeability and slow water movement while the major chemical feature of groundwater is high mineralization. This recognition will provide an important basis for repository siting in the site area.