Within the framework of SKB’s biosphere work, investigations are being conducted to understand how the chemical environment in the regolith may change as the landscape ages and how this could affect the mobility of radionuclides. Kemakta has contributed to this work by describing the potential changes in the chemical environment that could arise. In particular, the leaching of calcite in the moraine is expected to be one of the key factors contributing to a changing chemical environment in the Forsmark area in the future.
The chemical environment influences the speciation and mobility of radionuclides in the regolith layers, which in turn could affect the outcomes of radionuclide transport and dose calculations performed in SKB’s safety analyses. The aim of the preliminary study was to describe:
- The current chemical environment in Forsmark and how it might be expected to evolve in the future, particularly as calcite is leached.
- Which substances are expected to be affected over time.
- How the chemical speciation of radionuclides varies depending on the chemical environment.
- How long the current supply of calcite in the landscape will continue to influence the chemical environment in Forsmark.
The preliminary study will serve as a basis for decisions on potential in-depth studies and will provide supporting information for future regulatory inquiries.
