Migration and Decay of ²²⁶Ra in a Saturated Porous Media

Abstract

This work presents the mathematical formalism of a numerical model used for the simulation of ²²⁶Ra migration and decay in saturated porous layers. The simulation methodology employs Darcy’s law for calculating the velocity field; it is subsequently used as input data for solving the transport equation. The latter includes advection, diffusion and hydrodynamic dispersion processes. The interactions with the medium are represented by a retention coefficient of the solid matrix, and a term associated to the radioactive decay. For the computational system we consider a vertical cross section composed of five saturated porous stratums. The hydrodynamic system of equations is solved by the finite element numerical technique.