Description

Ground (soil, rock or sediment) that is permanently frozen. It may be overlain by an active layer that freezes and thaws annually.

Category

Category of FEP

Geosynthesis

Sub-category

Sub-category of FEP

External geodynamic events - climate change

Ondraf Niras FEP Number

Ondraf Niras FEP Number

18

FEP Effects

Description of FEP Effects

Changes in gradient over host rock; change in host rock pore structure. Possible changes in geochemical properties. Erosion may be greatly enhanced in a cold climate with permafrost (frost weathering), leading to the possibility of permafrost reaching GDF depth. Changes to radionuclide migration, e.g. temporary halt of the release of contaminants from host rock to upper aquifer, leading to a build-up in the host rock and subsequent rapid release when permafrost melts. Dilution capacity of aquifer changes. Significant changes to surface geography and biology.

Reference(s)

References Relevant to FEP

ER-184_I2 RD&D Plan

NEA TN2 IFEP Reference(s)

Related IFEPs from the NEA TN2 List of Proposed IFEP Revisions [NEA/RWM/R(2013)8]

1.3.4 Periglacial effects.