High-level and long-lived radioactive waste, referred to as nuclear waste (NW), are best disposed of in deep geological repositories (DGRs). A DGR is a multi-barrier system of engineered and natural barriers (NB) designed to ensure long-term isolation of NW from the biosphere. NB includes host rocks and, depending on regulations, may encompass surrounding geological formations.
An essential aspect of DGR development is site selection, where the geological characteristics of the NB and hydrogeological conditions of the site must support effective waste isolation. Timely implementation of DGRs is crucial due to the high current radioactivity of NW and the associated risks of above-ground storage, which is vulnerable to geopolitical threats and climate change impacts.
National programs gather geological information for designing and constructing safe DGRs, informing decisions at each stage, including concept choices, site selection, licensing, waste emplacement, and closure. However, the technical designs, regulatory frameworks, evaluation, and safety criteria are still evolving and vary by country. Additionally, each stage must be transparent and understandable to the public, making social acceptance and public involvement vital.
We seek contributions that address:
• The integration of timing as a safety factor in DGR projects, considering the current high radioactivity of NW and the risks associated with above-ground storage.
• Lessons learned from NW disposal projects, focusing on issues and solutions related to DGR site characterization and selection, with an emphasis on timely implementation.
• The strong link between safety in NW disposal and geoscience fundamentals, and insights from other geoscience applications (e.g., geothermal energy extraction, geological carbon sequestration) relevant to NW disposal.
• National and transnational public outreach, involvement programs, siting approaches, and regulatory frameworks, highlighting how these contribute to timely and safe NW disposal.
This session aims to:
• Promote the exchange of information on disposal concepts, site characterization, and the integration of timely implementation into safety evaluations.
• Provide key references on different national disposal programs, valuable for geoscientists, engineers, regulatory bodies, and NGOs involved in NW management. It will also be of interest to the public and decision-makers seeking an overview of advances in R&D related to DGR site characterization, selection, and timely implementation.