Abstract
Low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste from the Danish nuclear research facility, Risø, includes construction materials from the reactors, different types of contaminated material from the research projects and radioactive waste from hospitals, industry and research institutes. This material must be stored in a permanent disposal site in Denmark for at least 300 years (Indenrigs- og Sundhedsministeriet 2007). The Ministry of Health and Prevention presented the background and a decision plan for the Danish Parliament in January 2009 (Ministry of Health and Prevention 2009) and all political parties agreed to the plan. In the beginning of 2011 three studies were presented to the parliament (http://www.im.dk/Aktuelt/Nyheder/ Forebyggelse/2011/Maj/Slutdepot.aspx): (1) A pre-feasibility study for the final disposal of radioactive waste, (2) a study on radiation doses from the transport of radioactive waste to a future repository and (3) a study on identifying potential disposal areas. The latter study was conducted by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) and the aim was to locate a sediment or rock body with low permeability down to 100–300 m below the ground surface. The ultimate goal is long-term protection of people and environment by isolating the radioactive waste in a final depository. This goal can be reached by identifying a significant volume of sediments or rocks characterised by a low flow regime and high absorption potential. GEUS was given the task to locate approximately 20 potential disposal areas.
Highlights
Low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste from the Danish nuclear research facility, Risø, includes construction materials from the reactors, different types of contaminated material from the research projects and radioactive waste from hospitals, industry and research institutes
The latter study was conducted by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) and the aim was to locate a sediment or rock body with low permeability down to 100–300 m below the ground surface
Geological setting and data requirements In Denmark, many types of fine-grained sediments and crystalline rocks occur from the ground surface down to a depth of 300 m
Summary
In Denmark, many types of fine-grained sediments and crystalline rocks occur from the ground surface down to a depth of 300 m. The distribution of layers of low permeability and the distribution of fractured sediments and rocks are important for the assessment and selection of areas suitable for disposal of radioactive waste (Gravesen et al 2010). The area descriptions address the following important issues (IAEA 1994, 1999, 2005): (1) The final disposal site should be situated in an area with homogeneous geological conditions. (2) The geological deposits shall contribute to isolate the radioactive waste This is most effective if the disposal site is underlain or surrounded by low permeability layers such as clay, silt or crystalline rock. (7) The surrounding sediments, rocks and ground water aquifer material must have a high potential for absorption of any leaking radioactive components. This is most effective if the disposal site is underlain or surrounded by low permeability layers such as clay, silt or crystalline rock. (3) Restriction of pore water flow from the disposal site is favoured by deposits of low permeability. (4) The disposal site must be placed at the greatest possible distance from the nearest groundwater aquifer. (5) The disposal site must be located outside areas of special drinking-water interests. (6) The surrounding groundwater aquifer must be able to contribute to dilution of any radioactive material that might leak from the disposed material. (7) The surrounding sediments, rocks and ground water aquifer material must have a high potential for absorption of any leaking radioactive components. (8) Geological processes at the terrain surface should not have any influence on the quality of the disposal site
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