INFLUENCE OF IMPACTS ON THE SAFETY OF A GEOLOGICAL REPOSITORY

Abstract

The influence of impacts on the long-term safety of the radioactive waste geological disposal system was considered, and also the probability of such effects was assessed. It was analyzed and generalized information in relation to: frequencies of impacts and processes within geological environment and biosphere, which accompany formation of craters; scales of these processes depending on energy of projectiles, which encounter with the Earth; possible ecological and social consequences of impacts. Based on these data certainly scenarios of impacts influence on geological repository safety were determined; scenarios probabilities and maximum ranges of the corresponding projectile were estimated, and also some conclusions concerning the account of impacts at safety assessments of geological repositories were formulated. In particular, it was shown that there is an impacts energy class (102…105 Mt), the radiological consequences of which can jeopardize greater territory than the non-radiological one. The probability of such scenario is low (10-10…10-9 y-1). However, the risk of this scenario can exceed the level of acceptable risk determined by the radiation safety norms. Thus, such scenario should be examined at the safety analysis of geological repository. Recommendations were also given in relation to the decreasing of probability of the geological repository destruction.