Geohydrologic technology developments for retired radioactive waste burial site decommissioning

Terminal disposition of radioactive wastes in shallow-land disposal sites requires waste containment in the partially saturated geohydrologic system until such time as radioisotopes in the buried waste reach innocuous levels as a result of decay. In order to assure waste containment, technologies must be developed to characterize and monitor retired, operational, and future burial sites. This paper discusses examples of geophysical, geochemical, and geohydrologic field and laboratory instrument systems and methods used to assess burial sites. From results and applications of these systems and methods, examples of recommendations for future design of shallow-land burial sites are presented