Identified as one of the most naturally radioactive locations on earth, Poças de Caldas offers natural analogues in which chemical and physical processes can be studied which are similar to those expected to occur in the vicinity of radioactive waste repositories.

Redox front, Poços de Caldas

Redox fronts are formed when oxidising waters penetrate into the reducing milieu in the rock. Well developed redox fronts, with associated radionuclides released from the uranium ore, can be observed at the Osamu Utsumi uranium mine. These fronts are analogous to the redox fronts which may form in the vicinity of a steel container in a high-level radioactive waste repository and can therefore provide information on potential uptake of radionuclides released from the waste.