Environmental factors needed to establish the geotechnical feasibility of storing radioactive waste in Columbia River basalt

The geotechnical program required to fully establish the feasibility of storing commercial radioactive waste in Columbia River Basalt is a complex interdisciplinary effort. This report details the program required to establish the feasibility of storing radioactive waste in this basalt. The program includes: (1) achieving an understanding of the geologic setting; (2) appropriately defining the extent of hydrologic isolation of the storage mode; and, (3) evaluating the extent of chemical compatibility between radioactive waste and basalt. Work in areas (1) and (2) will be conducted sequentially as part of a generalized survey which will allow us to make a detailed site evaluation. Work in area (3) will be carried out concurrently allowing us to assess the magnitude of the interactive processes and evaluate the containment properties of basalt. All these data will ultimately allow us to design and construct an underground repository. The plan was prepared after careful study of numerous references (see Bibliographies), which represent many man-years of effort in the areas of geology, hydrology, fracture flow systems, and radioactive waste/basalt compatibility. This report also presents a synopsis of what is known about the geology and hydrology of the Columbia Plateau and the studies to date on radioactive waste/basaltmore » compatibility. The program outlined in this report should serve as a valuable guide as work progresses and as a basis for environmental assessment once all needed factors have been measured and interpreted.« less