Regional hydrogeological study project; Results from 1992-1999 period

Koide, Kaoru; Nakano, Katsushi; Takeuchi, Shinji; Hama, Katsuhiro ; not registered ; Ikeda, Koki; not registered

The Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC) has been conducting a wide range of geoscientific research in order to build a firm scientific and technological basis for the research and development of geological disposal. One of the major components of the ongoing geoscientific research programme is the Regional Hydrogeological Study (RHS) project in the Tono region, central Japan. The main goal of the RHS project is to develop and demonstrate surface-based investigation methodologies to characterize geological environments at a regional scale in Japan. The RHS project was initiated in 1992. The first five years of the project were devoted mainly to develop methodologies and techniques for deep borehole investigations in crystalline rock in Japan. Investigations to verify the performance of new instruments and methods for borehole drilling, hydraulic testing and groundwater sampling were conducted. In the last four years, surface-based investigations and a stepwise development of models of the geological environment have been carried out. To date, remote sensing, geological mapping, airborne and ground geophysical investigations, and measurements in eleven deep boreholes have been carried out. Hydro monitorring is continuing in these boreholes. Important results that have been obtained from these investigations include multi-disciplinaly information about the heterogeneity of lithology and hydraulic, geochemical and rock mechanical properties of the granitic rock, and evolution of the groundwater geochemistry. Technical knowledge and experience have been accumulated, which allow application of the methodologies and techniques to characterize the geological environment in crystalline rock. The results from these R%D activities were used as prime inputs for the H12 report that JNC submitted to the Japanese Government in l999. Results from such R&D is also acknowledged by other geoscientific studies in general. JNC will synthesize the results from R&D ...