Geomigration modeling of potential groundwater contamination by radionuclides in the Viliya – Gozovka interfluve (Republic of Belarus)

   The object of the study is the underground waters zones of active and slow water exchange in the interfluence of Viliya Gozovka.

   The aim of the study is to forecast possible contamination of groundwater in case of leaks of radioactive waste (from the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP) from the place of their burial.

   Research method – numerical modeling of filtering and migration of underground waters.

   For the geomigration modeling of potential groundwater pollution in the inter-Viliya-Gozovka region, a cross-border numerical model of filtration and migration of groundwater on the territory limited by the rivers Viliya, Osmyanka, Losha and Gozovka has been created and calibrated. The model depicts the ground, Dnipro-Soga, Berezina-Dnipro, Brynev and Siluurian-Devonian aquifers. In the center of the modelled area is located the nuclear energy complex BelNPP. The numerical model of the object is implemented on the basis of the software ModTесh CJSC “Geolink” (Moscow). In the created model, the migration of radionuclides into water-bearing rocks was modeled and a quantitative assessment of the potential influence of the source of pollution on groundwater quality was made. Based on the results of geomigration modeling, projected maps of radionuclide activity in groundwater of the groundwater aquifer for 20, 50, 100 and 200 years, and for 300-year period – for groundwater of the groundwater, Dnieper-Sochi, Berezini-Dnieper and Brynev aquifers. The migration of radionuclides along rock plating is extremely slow. The maximum migration rate does not exceed 15.0–17.0 m/year. For 300 years, the source of groundwater pollution has not moved beyond the modelled catchment area.

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