How speciation studies can support the development of chemical and radiochemical methods for the characterization of radioactive wastes

Abstract : The French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (ANDRA) requires chemical and radiochemical characterizations of radioactive wastes to guarantee the safety of the disposal facilities. Laboratories dedicated to the analysis of nuclear wastes, such as LASE laboratory (located at CEA Saclay in France), must have accurate chemical and radiochemical protocols valid for all the various matrices encountered (sludges, muds, metals or concretes). Since the decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear sites are in growth, it is of prime interest for laboratories to develop robust and selective methods while taking into account of European REACH regulation. The aim of this work is to demonstrate how speciation studies can help in the optimization of chemical and radiochemical characterizations of nuclear wastes.