Transferability of geoscientific information from various sources (study sites, underground rock laboratories, natural analogues) to support safety cases for radioactive waste repositories in argillaceous formations

• Published in: Physics and chemistry of the earth. Parts A/B/C 2008, Vol.33, p.S95-S105
• Main Authors: Mazurek, Martin, Gautschi, Andreas, Marschall, Paul, Vigneron, Georges, Lebon, Patrick, Delay, Jacques
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Argillaceous formation; Callovo–Oxfordian shale; Geological disposal; Opalinus Clay; Transferability
• ISSN: 1474-7065; 1873-5193
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pce.2008.10.046

In studies related to deep geological disposal of radioactive waste, it is current practice to transfer external information (e.g. from other sites, from underground rock laboratories or from natural analogues) to safety cases for specific projects. Transferable information most commonly includes parameters, investigation techniques, process understanding, conceptual models and high-level conclusions on system behaviour. Prior to transfer, the basis of transferability needs to be established. In argillaceous rocks, the most relevant common feature is the microstructure of the rocks, essentially determined by the properties of clay–minerals. Examples are shown from the Swiss and French programmes how transfer of information was handled and justified. These examples illustrate how transferability depends on the stage of development of a repository safety case and highlight the need for adequate system understanding at all sites involved to support the transfer.