Ecological aspects of underground radwaste isolation concept in permafrost rocks of far north of Russia

Arctic geocryological regions contain permafrost rocks which contain no water and therefore exclude migration processes. Landscape and climatic conditions, and the depth of radwaste underground localization are chosen in such a way that processes of seasonal soil thawing and development of freezing-geological phenomena do not influence the center of radwaste localization. While creating engineering barriers, unique conserving properties of permafrost rocks concerning different materials are taken into consideration (these properties considerably increase the period of their operating ability). The thermal and dynamic state of permafrost rocks as a constant factor is used as a natural thermal and physical barrier against radwaste heat release. The Arctic geocryological region is characterized by entire area of permafrost rocks. The thickness can reach 500--800 m. There are areas of permafrost without thawed interlayers and waters. So, utilization of permafrost rocks as geological and technical barriers is the basis for an ecologically efficient and technically sound method of underground radwaste isolation