Geological Disposal of Nuclear Waste in Tuff: Yucca Mountain (USA) [Geological Disposal in Tuff: Yucca Mountain]

Journal Article · 01 August 2016 · Elements

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.12.4.263 · OSTI ID:1497666

Swift, Peter N. ^[1]; Bonano, Evaristo J. ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

For more than three decades, the US Department of Energy has investigated the potential for permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel in a deep-mined repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada (USA). A detailed license application submitted to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2008 provides full documentation of the case for permanent disposal of nuclear waste in tuff. Furthermore, the aridity of the site and great depth to the water table provide a disposal environment and a design concept unique among deep-mined repositories currently or previously proposed worldwide.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: SNL
• Grant/Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 1497666
• Report Number(s): SAND-2015-7583J; 672304
• Journal Information: Elements, Vol. 12, Issue 4; ISSN 1811-5209
• Publisher: Mineralogical Society of AmericaCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English