Review of the role of nuclear analytical chemistry in the Canadian nuclear fuel waste management program

The Canadian Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program involves both field and laboratory research, to assess the concept of disposal of nuclear fuel wastes at depths of up to 1000 m in plutonic rocks. This research program is multifaceted and requires data from a large number of disciplines, such as geology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, civil and mining engineering, chemistry, solid state science, environmental science, and meteorology. In many of these disciplines, nuclear analytical chemistry plays a major role. Examples of the application of nuclear analytical chemistry, including radiochemical separation and instrumental neutron activation analysis, will be discussed.Issued as AECL-8748.