Deep Geologic Repositories
Deep Geologic Repositories reviews the success stories of underground waste isolation. It focuses on repositories that did, do, and will permanently and safely isolate dangerous materials from the near-surface biosphere. Complementary topics address the isolation capability of average crustal rock, investigations at one representative underground research laboratory, and the geologic preservation of fission products from Precambrian nuclear reactors. An international cast of contributors presents proven practical solutions to a formerly confounding issue in environmental and engineering geology: What do we do with wastes that retain their dangerous characteristics in human terms forever? The principal answer: Recycling into the lithosphere by “reverse” mining.
Geological features of the Morsleben repository and their relevance for long-term safety
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Published:January 01, 2008
Abstract
In Germany, the former potash and rock salt mine Morsleben is so far the only underground repository for radioactive waste operated on the basis of the Atomic Act. In 1986, the Morsleben repository was licensed by the authorities of the former German Democratic Republic for the disposal of low- and intermediate-level waste. In 1999, the federal government of Germany decided to cease disposal operations. At present, a license for the closure of the repository is being pursued by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS). BfS initiated a comprehensive scientific and technical program to keep Morsleben a safe repository. This program resulted in greater insight into the geological structure of the site, the rock mechanical deformation of the underground excavations, and the origin and age of brine seeps at a few locations in the mine. To reduce the radiological consequences of a brine intrusion scenario, the Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS), contracted by BfS, investigated several concepts for effective backfilling and sealing. Material selection and—in view of the specific geological situation—adequate positioning of sealing systems underground contribute substantially to the long-term safety of the repository.
- alteration
- Central Europe
- chemically precipitated rocks
- chlorides
- engineering properties
- Europe
- evaporites
- fault zones
- faults
- Germany
- halides
- halite
- hydraulic conductivity
- mechanical properties
- Northern German Hills
- Paleozoic
- Permian
- public policy
- radioactive waste
- risk assessment
- safety
- salt
- sedimentary rocks
- site exploration
- underground installations
- underground storage
- Upper Permian
- waste disposal
- Zechstein
- Morsleben Mine