Feasibility of subseafloor emplacement of nuclear waste

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Abstract
This paper evaluates the technical feasibility of embedding nuclear waste containers in the seafloor for the purpose of “permanent” disposal (i.e., possibly as long as. 1,000,000 years duration). Three concepts to achieve embedment were considered: (1) free‐fall or dynamic penetration, (2) static or constant force penetration, and (3) insertion into a drilled hole. In addition to the determination of initial embedment depths, consideration was given to: (1) assessing the desirability of disposal in deep‐sea trenches versus more stable deep seafloor areas, and (2) identifying mechanisms which might expose the package to the water column during the required burial period. This paper does not consider the effects of a nuclear waste container as a heat source on the surrounding soil, soil porewater, overlying water column, and animal and plant life, nor does it consider the influence of the seabed environment on waste container deterioration.

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