RD&D-Programme 2004 - SKB

Table 13-3. Projects and experiments in the Äspö HRL, all or portions of which are focused on
research regarding long-term safety.
Project/experiment
Section
RNR Experiment (includes experiments 15.2.12, 17.2.25, 19.2.17, 19.2.20
with the Chemlab probe)
Corrosion tests 16.2.12, 16.2.16
Prototype Repository 17.2.3, 19.2.2
Lasgit 17.2.4, 17.2.6, 17.2.12
TBT 17.2.4, 17.2.12
Canister Retrieval Test 17.2.4, 19.2.2
Lot 17.2.18, 17.2.25
Colloid Project 17.2.19, 19.2.20, 19.2.21
KBS-3H 17.2.19
Backfill and Plug Test 18.2.2
Äspö models 2005 19.2.3
Apse 19.2.5, 19.2.6, 19.2.7, 19.2.8
(Äspö Pillar Stability Experiment)
True 19.2.14, 19.2.26
LTDE 19.2.14
Matrix Fluid Chemistry Experiment 19.2.15
Microbe Project 19.2.18, 19.2.22
The references refer to sections in coming chapters where the particular process is dealt with, i.e. Chapter 15 Fuel,
16 Canister, 17 Buffer, 18 Backfill and 19 Geosphere.
International participation in the Äspö HRL is of great importance. The broad participation of
many researchers in different countries means that prevalent theories and achieved results are
subjected to both extensive and thorough scrutiny. In this respect, the special task forces have
made a valuable contribution. They are composed for special purposes in order to develop
the experiments and interpret the results. An example is the Äspö Task Force on Modelling of
Groundwater Flow and Transport of Solutes, see section 19.2.26. Hydrogeology, geochemistry
and mass transport in crystalline rock are examples of areas where there are many different
theories and opinions can differ. It is necessary to adopt a critical and questioning attitude in
order to avoid overinterpreting results or too readily accepting prevailing theories and explanations.
Something new and important for the future in Äspö is the University of Kalmar’s research
school. Its research on mechanisms for transport and migration of pollutants in the transition
between rock, soil layer and biosphere is of importance for SKB as well. Hopefully the school
will also train researchers to meet SKB’s future needs.
13.3 Social science research
SKB recently decided to support social science research. During 2003, a survey was conducted
of what is of interest for the waste issue and the municipalities, an objective was defined and
the four social science research areas were selected: socioeconomic effects, decision processes,
psychosocial effects and global changes. A detailed account of the social science research
programme is provided in Chapter 22.
13.3.1 Socioeconomic effects
The purpose of the research in the field of socioeconomic effects is to gain a greater
understanding of how a community’s economy and demographic composition is affected
by the establishment of a new major enterprise in the community.
152 RD&D-Programme 2004