Development of methodology of groundwater flow and solute transport analysis in the Horonobe area, Hokkaido, Japan

Maekawa, Keisuke  ; Makino, Hitoshi ; Kurikami, Hiroshi  ; Niizato, Tadafumi  ; Inagaki, Manabu; Kawamura, Makoto*

It is important for establishing safety assessment techniques of HLW geological disposal to understand groundwater flow and solute transport. We have carried out groundwater flow and solute transport analysis using geological and hydrological information from surface-based investigations in the Horonobe area. From this study, a methodology to integrate activities from site investigations and evaluation to solute transport analysis was tested. We have been also carrying out a simulation of groundwater flow and salinity concentration distribution using information on geological evolution considering the impacts of natural events and processes. From the result, we could outline the impacts of natural events and processes on geological environments. We plan to apply a methodology of groundwater flow and solute transport analysis to the shallow part, the Horonobe coastal area. It must be important techniques in support of generic safety assessment for future geologic disposal in Japan.