Geological disposal of radioactive waste
bookPart
Some types of radioactive waste remain hazardous for thousands of years. Disposal of this long-lived waste in stable geological formation is the best thinkable solution according to the current state of technology and science. This is done by placing packages with radioactive waste in an underground facility, hundreds of metres below the land surface. After closure of a facility, isolation of the waste and containment of the radionuclides are achieved by a disposal system consisting of engineered barriers, the geological formation and surrounding rock formations. This geological disposal of radioactive waste has been studied in the Netherlands for more than four decades. Permian and Triassic rock salt formations are investigated since a facility can be constructed in this rock and its ultralow permeability ensures containment of radionuclides. Upward movement of salt (diapirism) and dissolution due to groundwater flow (subrosion), however, can disrupt the key aspects of rock salt. These natural
processes are studied to assess the likelihood of radionuclides from the waste to enter the biosphere. The suitable disposal depth is determined by considering plausible natural processes, such as climate change (including ice ages) that in the future may interfere with underground disposal sites. Paleogene clay formations are an alternative rock type for the disposal of radioactive waste. New techniques have become available to construct underground facilities in these low-permeability argillaceous sediments. Emphasis is now put on obtaining freshly cored material at suitable disposal depths to gain further knowledge on the geotechnical properties of these clays.
processes are studied to assess the likelihood of radionuclides from the waste to enter the biosphere. The suitable disposal depth is determined by considering plausible natural processes, such as climate change (including ice ages) that in the future may interfere with underground disposal sites. Paleogene clay formations are an alternative rock type for the disposal of radioactive waste. New techniques have become available to construct underground facilities in these low-permeability argillaceous sediments. Emphasis is now put on obtaining freshly cored material at suitable disposal depths to gain further knowledge on the geotechnical properties of these clays.
Topics
TNO Identifier
1013589
Publisher
Amsterdam University Press
Source title
Geology of the Netherlands
Pages
769-793