Long-term documentation in Germany: steps towards a systemic strategy

In Germany, long-term documentation is a key measure in preserving information and knowledge about radioactive waste repositories over long periods of time. In accordance with its legal mandate, the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE) will permanently store analogue and digital information on the interim and final disposal of radioactive waste. This poster introduces the long-term documentation approach in Germany, and showcases past, present and future research regarding long-term preservation of information, data, and knowledge by means of e.g. durable storage media and markers.

Radioactive waste management information will be stored in analogue and digital form. Secured and audited information shall be available beyond the time of repository closure and for at least 500 years thereafter. Facing the challenge of maintaining an institutional awareness of the importance of the systematically compiled documents over such extensive timescales, BASE is en route to a systemic strategy of managing and preserving information, data, knowledge, memory and awareness. In accordance with Section 38 of the German Site Selection Act, the permanent integrity of current and future information on the interim and final storage of radioactive waste must be guaranteed.

The `long-term durability of paper´ project, which has already been completed, investigated the ageing durability of paper documents, carrying out practical accelerated ageing tests and developing a coordinated system with regard to writing and printing materials. These practical tests were conducted with laboratory hand sheets, printed and non-printed industrial papers, and specialty papers. The testing procedures followed the ISO 5630 and 20494 as well as DIN 6738 standards, but extended the minimum required duration of 6, 12 and 24 days drastically up to 16 months. The main results of project include a recommendation for a preferred combination of printing materials: gravure printing on bible paper or rag paper. This low-impact printing method in connection with these durable paper types have been identified as the most promising ones for an ageing resistance of at least 500 years.

Complementary, the ongoing research project `on the evaluation and optimisation of the long-term stability of digital storage media´ is investigating which storage media strategy is most suitable from a long-term perspective and which options exist for optimising individual storage media. Accelerated ageing tests will examine, which technical properties of electronic and technical components can contribute to a significant increase in long-term durability, and key indicators of an impending performance loss or even failure of system components. This research project examines leading data storage media and digital preservation solutions, including SSD and HDD, the M-Disc, archival grade microfilm, and nanoforms.

Expanding the scope of preservation mechanisms, BASE intends to explore the role and possibilities of markers in a wider strategy to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent human intrusion by raising awareness. An upcoming research project therefore intends to shed light on relevant aspects of different marker types while – among other aspects – considering their integration with other preservation mechanisms as well.