Nuclear waste storage needs to withstand an ice age
2024-11-12 00:00
Swiss Confederation
Switzerland is planning to build a deep geological repository for its radioactive waste. The repository will be located in Opalinus Clay, a rock formation that is expected to remain stable for millions of years. However, a new study has found that the repository may need to withstand an ice age in order to remain safe.
The study, which was published in the journal Nature Communications, found that an ice age could cause the Opalinus Clay to fracture and allow water to enter the repository. This could lead to the release of radioactive waste into the environment.
The researchers used computer models to simulate the effects of an ice age on the Opalinus Clay. They found that the rock would fracture if the ice sheet was more than 1.5 kilometers thick. This is thicker than any ice sheet that has existed in Switzerland in the past million years.
However, the researchers also found that the Opalinus Clay would be able to withstand an ice age if it was covered by a layer of permafrost. Permafrost is a layer of frozen soil that remains frozen all year round. It is found in cold climates, such as the Arctic and Antarctic.
The researchers suggest that the Opalinus Clay could be protected from an ice age by building a layer of permafrost over the repository. This could be done by circulating cold water through the rock formation.
The study’s findings are important because they show that the safety of the Opalinus Clay repository depends on the climate. If the climate changes and an ice age occurs, the repository may need to be modified to ensure that it remains safe.
References
Nuclear waste storage needs to withstand an ice age
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