1. High Level Nuclear Waste Disposal Yucca Mountain, USA

2. Introduction Nuclear power, when properly managed, is a clean source of energy. Nuclear power, when properly managed, is a clean source of energy. One drawback is the radioactive waste generated from spent nuclear fuel. One drawback is the radioactive waste generated from spent nuclear fuel. This material must be isolated form humans for hundreds of thousands of years. This material must be isolated form humans for hundreds of thousands of years.

3. Nuclear waste - What is it? LOW-LEVEL WASTE – operations related equipment. LOW-LEVEL WASTE – operations related equipment. –Mops –Protective clothing –Beard nets HIGH-LEVEL WASTE – spent nuclear fuel. HIGH-LEVEL WASTE – spent nuclear fuel. –Highly radioactive

4. Both levels of waste are currently stored above ground. Both levels of waste are currently stored above ground. Better solutions are required for the high-level waste. Better solutions are required for the high-level waste. Facilities above ground are numerous. Facilities above ground are numerous. The Nuclear Problem

5. U.S Nuclear Storage Facilities

6. Disposal Options Numerous potential solutions: Numerous potential solutions: –Outer Space –Burial in rock –Subduction zones Best long-term solution: Best long-term solution: –Deep-seated geological disposal.

7. Geological Disposal Only option considered worldwide. Only option considered worldwide. Possible media: Possible media: –Salt domes –Granite –Basalts –Clay

8. Yucca Mountain, Nevada 1 st approved underground, high-level nuclear waste repository in the USA. 1 st approved underground, high-level nuclear waste repository in the USA.

9. Why Yucca Mountain? Economic reasons: Economic reasons: –Federally owned –$6 billion spent on site investigations Sociology: Sociology: –Isolated –160km NW Las Vegas –14,000km 2 of unpopulated desert –Devastated by military nuclear testing

10. Most Importantly Geology: Geology: –Dormant tectonics –Zeolite minerals absorb cationic radionuclies Hydrology: Hydrology: –190mm precipitation/yr –Only escape is evapo-transpiration –Low hydraulic conductivity

11. Conclusions Yucca Mountain exhibits all of the necessary natural barriers. Yucca Mountain exhibits all of the necessary natural barriers. Deep-seated geological repositories are regarded as the safest method. Deep-seated geological repositories are regarded as the safest method. However; However; –USA produces 3000 tonnes of nuclear waste a year! –Yucca Mountain will be full in 24 years – then what??

12. Questions?