Abstract
The technical system constitutes a major — but not necessarily determinative — component of the national plan (or system) for radioactive waste management (RWM). This technical RWM system can be conveniently divided into four subsystems: Storage; Radionuclide Immobilization; Isolation and Post Emplacement. It is essential to consider the interactions among these four subsystems in designing any system. Of these, the first and last have not been given much consideration and their role is delineated herein. Of the middle subsystems, up to 1978 the system designers have relied essentially exclusively on the Isolation subsystem (i.e., removal from the biosphere in a mine or seabed, preventing migration of ions, etc.). History has shown that technically this strategy has proved unacceptable. In the last two years the role of the solid waste form and thence the entire radionuclide immobilization subsystem has assumed a much more significant role. Indeed, it will be shown that recent research results give grounds for hope that this subsystem may carry most of the burden of proof of acceptable and verifiable removal of radionuclides from the biosphere. Recent research results which made some of this possible will be discussed, and indications provided where new science is needed in all four subsystems.
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Roy, R. (1979). Science Underlying Radioactive Waste Management: Status and Needs. In: McCarthy, G.J., et al. Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9107-8_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-9107-8_1
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