Site selection

BACKGROUND

The selection and confirmation of sites for geological disposal of radioactive waste is both technically complex – requiring synthesis of large multidisciplinary knowledge bases – and highly politically sensitive.

Since 1979, team members have provided active support in these areas in crystalline, sedimentary and evaporite rocks in diverse geological settings – ranging from inland continental in Switzerland to coastal in Japan and the UK.

A recent focus has been on assessing options for offshore sites accessed from land.

 

EXPERIENCE

The selection and confirmation of sites for geological disposal of radioactive waste is both technically complex – requiring synthesis of large multidisciplinary knowledge bases – and highly politically sensitive. Since 1979, team members have provided active support in these areas in crystalline, sedimentary and evaporite rocks in diverse geological settings – ranging from inland continental in Switzerland to coastal in Japan and the UK. A major role was in coordinating the synthesis of crystalline site characterization, as documented in:

• Nagra, Kristallin-I: Conclusions from the regional investigation programme for siting a HLW repository in the crystalline basement of Northern Switzerland, Nagra NTB 93-09E (1994).

A recent focus has been on assessing options resulting from volunteering approaches to siting, especially for offshore sites accessed from land. In such work, the integration of characterization data using a geosynthesis approach, facilitated by advanced knowledge management tools, plays an important role.

 

Further relevant publications include:

• Semba T, Osawa H., Hioki K., Tachibana S., Takase H. and McKinley I.G. (2010). Practical application of the KMS: 2) Site characterisation, Proc. ICEM`09, (CD-ROM: data/pdfs/s52/ICEM2009-16351.pdf), 9 pp.
• Osawa H., Umeki H., Ota K., Hama K., Sawada A., Takeuchi S., Semba T., Takase H.and McKinley I.G. (2009). A structured approach to stepwise development of next-generation technology of integrated site characterisation for deep geological repositories. Proc. WM2009, (CD-ROM), 11pp.
• McKinley I.G., Zuidema P., Vomvoris S. and Marschall P. (2001). Swiss geological studies to support implementation of repository projects - status and outlook. Geological challenges in radioactive waste isolation - third worldwide review, LBNL-49767, pp. 269-276.
• McCombie C., McKinley I.G. and Zuidema P. (1991). How much must the geological barrier contribute to safe HLW disposal?, Proc. 2nd International high-level waste management conf., pp. 291-295.