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Management of Commercially Generated Radioactive Waste - U.S. ...

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256<br />

GEOLOGIC CONSIDERATIONS<br />

effects and casing (pipe), if used, and being more directly "connected" to the waste loca-<br />

tion. Salt, depending on the depth, is expected to deform plastically and may eventually<br />

seal the backfilled rooms to original density material. The shafts into the salt unit are<br />

expected to be the.main sealing problem.<br />

Draft, p. 3.1.237<br />

Issue<br />

The questions posed in the first paragraph are correct, but this does not mean that<br />

boundary conditions/characteristics cannot be defined now as minimum criteria to be applied<br />

at least during siting.<br />

It is true that standard techniques for nondestruction analysis <strong>of</strong> geologic formations<br />

are not complete nor generally available. However, this varies with the media and its<br />

environment, and with the type <strong>of</strong> information desired. For example, qualitative high-<br />

resolution data on the nature and distribution <strong>of</strong> abyssal sea clays and their contained dis-<br />

continuities can be easily obtained by seismic reflection pr<strong>of</strong>iling. Quantitative data,<br />

however, are not yet so readily available using such techniques as they are for sedimentary<br />

environments on land. For granites and many basalt environments, seismic reflection pro-<br />

filing is minimally useful. The point that should be made here is that on optimum set <strong>of</strong><br />

destructive and non-destructive exploration techniques will be applied on a site by site<br />

basis with recognition <strong>of</strong> the resulting trade-<strong>of</strong>fs between accurate knowledge and trouble-<br />

some penetrations. The possible notion that progress should await the development <strong>of</strong> new<br />

techniques should be dispelled. (See p. 3.1.240, 5th paragraph, next to last sentence.)<br />

(154)<br />

Response<br />

During preparation <strong>of</strong> the final Statement this section was revised. Section 5.2 <strong>of</strong><br />

the final Statement discusses the R & D needs to enhance existing site characterization<br />

analysis techniques. Both standard geophysical and non-destructive techniques are<br />

discussed in this section. Additional information regarding R & D needs and programs to<br />

meet these needs can be found in the final Appendix L.2.<br />

Draft p.3.1.237<br />

Issue<br />

There is no discussion <strong>of</strong> research needs in the hydrologic transport aspects <strong>of</strong><br />

geologic disposal. Of prime importance are the chemical and thermal interactions involving<br />

dissolved wastes and the natural rock. (113-EPA)

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