ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the geologic and engineering dimensions of nuclear waste storage. The waste characteristics, existing and projected quantities of radioactive materials that need to be stored, various disposal or storage strategies or alternatives, geologic media under consideration, and repository construction techniques and problems are discussed. Geologic disposal of radioactive wastes is the disposal of radioactive wastes in conventionally mined repositories deep within the geologic formations of the earth. Space disposal has been suggested as a unique option for permanently removing high-level nuclear wastes from the earth's environment. Disposal in continental ice sheets has been suggested as a means of isolating high-level radioactive waste. The rock melt concept for radioactive waste disposal calls for the direct placement of liquids or slurries of high-level wastes or dissolved spent fuel, with the possible addition of small quantities of other wastes, into underground cavities. Several conceptual designs for high-level waste repositories have been prepared for sites in salt domes.
