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Natural Analogues and Long-Term Safety of Nuclear Waste Disposal

Nuclear waste remains harmful to nature for hundreds of thousands of years. Processes of this kind of time span can be studied with the help of geology, while also enabling the safe disposal of nuclear waste. In addition to their scientific importance, geological natural analogue studies are often the only tool for informing all project stakeholders of the time spans associated with final disposal.

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The fault in a rapakivi and the mapping of the fault.

Key benefits

Natural analogue studies enable the final disposal of nuclear waste

Natural analogue studies produce scientific research data and materials, which can be used in the design of nuclear waste disposal concepts and to establish the safety of disposal sites.

Materials for determining longevity

GTK’s experts provide customers with visualisations and other material that can be used to determine the longevity of the bedrock, groundwater conditions, and different components of the final disposal site.

Long-term safety assessments for alternative materials

The studies can be used to optimise existing materials and develop alternative ones, which will also be subject to long-term safety assessments. The customer will receive guidelines for making extensive use of existing scientific data in order to meet their own needs.

Long observation period illustrates the safety of final disposal

Different geological elements and conditions that are either similar in some way to the final disposal site or are exposed to similar levels of stress are used in natural analogue studies. This method enables the consideration of longer geological time periods and the diversity of geological processes in assessments.

The observations from a natural analogue study can be used, for example, to assess the results of short-term laboratory testing and to develop different models. In GTK’s international research projects, information has been gathered on issues such as uranium migration in bedrock, matters related to the properties of bentonite and copper, as well as on the effects of the ice ages on bedrock and groundwater.

Natural analogue studies promote the efforts to establish the safety of disposal sites.

Research projects produce geological background information for the design of final disposal concepts and to establish the safety of disposal sites. Our studies also produce new baseline information on the Earth’s crust and its dynamics with a longer observation period.

Contents of the service:

planning and implementation of surveys
project coordination
publishing and reporting
strategic planning, data collection and analysis

Nuclear waste disposal is a global issue

Nuclear plants offer a low-carbon form of energy production that can replace fossil fuels and, therefore, reduce climate emissions. However, nuclear waste disposal solutions are needed to resolve the waste management questions at nuclear power plants. This research area offers a platform for worldwide applications.

Natural analogue studies as a tool for adaptation

Natural analogue studies help us adapt to changes and offer solutions for the challenges arising with new technologies. For example, waste generated by small modular reactors (SMR) – which are currently being developed at an increasing rate – may require modifications to the final disposal solutions.

Fractured bedrock on the seashore seen from above.

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