Disposition of plutonium in deep boreholes
Substantial inventories of excess plutonium are expected to result from dismantlement of U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons. Disposition of this material should be a high priority in both countries. A variety of disposition options are under consideration. One option is to place the plutonium either directly or in an immobilized form at the bottom of a deep borehole that is then sealed. Deep-borehole disposition involves placing plutonium several kilometers deep into old, stable, rock formations that have negligible free water present. Containment assurance is based on the presence of ancient groundwater indicating lack of migration and communication with the biosphere. Recovery would be extremely difficult (costly) and impossible to accomplish clandestinely.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 86875
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-JC-120995; CONF-9505238-1; ON: DE95013427; TRN: 95:005511
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) international scientific exchange program advanced research workshop, St. Petersburg (Russian Federation), 14-17 May 1995; Other Information: PBD: May 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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