This book presents a critical review of designing, siting, constructing and demonstrating the safety and environmental impact of deep repositories for radioactive wastes. It is structured to provide a broad perspective of this multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary topic: providing enough detail for a non-specialist to understand the fundamental principles involved and with extensive references to sources of more detailed information. Emphasis is very much on deep geological disposal at least some tens of metres below land surface and, in many cases, many hundred of metres deep. Additionally, only radioactive wastes are considered directly even though such wastes often contain also significant chemotoxic or otherwise hazardous components. Many of the principles involved are generally applicable to other repository options (e.g. near-surface or on-surface disposal) and, indeed, to other types of hazardous waste. * Presents a current critical review in designing, siting, constructing and demonsrating the safety and environmental impact of deep repositories for radwaste * Addresses the fundamental principles of radioactive waste with up-to-date examples and real-world case studies * Written for a multi-disciplinary audience, with an appropriate level of detail to allow a non-specialist to understand.

1. Introduction. -- 2. Waste sources and classification. -- 3. Development of the geological disposal concepts. -- 4. Site selection and characterisation. -- 5. Repository design. -- 6. Assessment of the safety and performance of a radioactive waste repository. -- 7. Repository implementation. -- 8. Research and Development infrastructure. -- 9. Building confidence in the safe disposal of radioactive waste. -- 10. A look to the future.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction / Linda E. McKinley and W. Russell Alexander -- Waste sources and classification / D.F. McGinnes -- Development of geological disposal concepts / Ian G. McKinley, W. Russell Alexander, and Petra C. Blaser -- Site selection and characterisation / Tim McEwen -- Repository design / Hiroyuki Umeki -- Assessment of the safety and performance of a radioactive waste repository / Paul A. Smith -- Repository implementation / C. McCombie -- Research and development infrastructure / Alan Hooper -- Building confidence in the safe disposal of radioactive waste / Julia M. West and Linda E. McKinley -- A look to the future / W. Russell Alexander, Linda E. McKinley, and Ian G. McKinley.

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Índice: 1. Introduction (R. Alexander). 2. Waste sources and classification (D. McGinnes). 3. Development of the deep disposal concept (N. Chapman). 4. Site selection and characterization (S. Vomvoris). 5. Repository design (H. Umeki). 6. Performance assessment (P. Smith). 7. Repository implementation (C. McCombie). 8. R&D infrastructure (L. Johnson). 9. Alternatives to geological disposal (I. McKinley). 10. Confidence building (J. West). 11. A look to the future (R. Alexander).