Deep geological repository

Technicians emplacing transuranic waste at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, near Carlsbad, New Mexico

A deep geological repository is a way of storing hazardous or radioactive waste within a stable geologic environment, typically 200–1,000 m below the surface of the earth.[1] It entails a combination of waste form, waste package, engineered seals and geology that is suited to provide a high level of long-term isolation and containment without future maintenance. This is intended to prevent radioactive dangers.[citation needed] A number of mercury, cyanide and arsenic waste repositories are operating worldwide including Canada (Giant Mine) and Germany (potash mines in Herfa-Neurode and Zielitz).[2] Radioactive waste storage sites are under construction with the Onkalo in Finland being the most advanced.[3]

  1. ^ "The Geological Society of London – Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste". www.geolsoc.org.uk. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  2. ^ "Underground disposal – K+S Aktiengesellschaft". www.kpluss.com. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Onkalo was invoked but never defined (see the help page).