Leaching behavior of simulated high-level waste glass in groundwater

Four kinds of synthetic groundwater which resemble one type of Japanese groundwater were prepared. Simulated high-level waste glass was leached in the synthetic groundwater at 70°C for up to 49 days and at 20°C for one year. It was found that the leaching of the high-level waste glass could be characterized as congruent in the synthetic groundwater and incongruent in deionized water. The chemistry of the synthetic groundwater causes the congruent leaching which is likely to occur in deep geologic disposal sites.