Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Risk Assessment, Risk Management and Remediation for the Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste and Storage of Carbon Dioxide

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste: A Comparative Assessment

Part of the book series: Advances in Global Change Research ((AGLO,volume 44))

Abstract

Risk assessment, risk management and remediation in the fields of geological disposal of radioactive waste (RW) and storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) are discussed and compared. In both fields detailed site characterization is a fundamental requirement and it is necessary to consider the evolution of the system over long timescales so that natural analogues for key processes can be valuable. Some of the most important differences are:

  • In RW disposal, performance assessment methods have been developed over a period of more than 2 decades, whilst for CO2 methods for modelling the system as a whole are still at an early stage of development.

  • Similarly, mature regulatory regimes are in place in most countries with deep disposal programmes for RW, but this is not the case for the geological storage of CO2.

  • The possibility of material returning to the surface in the first few decades after operations cease is much more likely for CO2, so that monitoring will be important. If surface leakage of CO2 is detected during this period it should be possible to sink borehole(s) to extract some of the injected CO2.

  • For RW disposal systems, engineered barriers will inevitably degrade with time, whilst for CO2 some of the important natural barriers may actually become more effective with time. This affects the way that risk assessments are undertaken and uncertainties managed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Akervoll A, Lindeberg E, Lackner A (2009) Feasibility of reproduction of stored CO2 from the Utsira formation at the Sleipner gas field. In Gale J, Herzog H, Braitsch J (eds) Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Technologies. Energy Procedia, 1:2557–2564

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexander WR, Smellie, JAT (2002) The maqarin natural analogue project (1989–1998). In Proceedings of the Eighth EC Natural Analogue Working Group Meeting European Commission Report EUR 19118 EN. European Commission, Luxembourg, pp 87–102

    Google Scholar 

  • ANDRA (Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs—National Radioactive Waste Management Agency) (2005) Evaluation de sûreté du stockage géologique. http://www.andra.fr/interne.php3?id_rubrique=161

  • Arts R, Eiken O, Chadwick A, Zweigel P, van der Meer L, Zinszner B (2004) Monitoring of CO2 injected at Sleipner using time-lapse seismic data. In Freund P, Kaya Y, Lior N (eds) Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies. Energy, 29:1383–1392

    Google Scholar 

  • Beaubien SE, Ciotoli G, Coombs P, Dictor MC, Krüger M, Lombardi S, Pearce JM, West JM (2008) The impact of a naturally occurring CO2 gas vent on the shallow ecosystem and soil chemistry of a Mediterranean pasture (Latera, Italy). In Busch A, Kühn M, Etheridge D (eds) EGU General Assembly 2007: Advances in CO2 Storage in Geological Systems—EGU (2007). International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 2(3):373–387. doi: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2008.03.005

  • Benson SM (2005) Lessons learned from industrial and natural analogs for health, safety and environmental risk assessment for geologic storage of carbon dioxide. In: Benson SM (ed) Carbon Dioxide Capture for Storage in Deep Geologic Formations—Results from the CO2 Capture Project, vol 2, Geologic storage of CO2 with monitoring and verification. Elsevier, London, pp 1133–1141

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • EC (European Commission) (2008) Directive on the Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2008:0018:FIN:EN:PDF

  • Forbes SM, Verma P, Freedmann SJ, Curry TE, Wade SM, Venezia J (2009) WRI CCS guidelines and emerging geologic sequestration regulations: a comparative assessment. In Gale J, Herzog H, Braitsch J (eds) Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies. Energy Procedia, 1: 1759–1766

    Google Scholar 

  • Holloway S, Pearce JM, Ohsumi T, Hards VL (2005) A review of natural CO2 occurrences and their relevance to CO2 storage. International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme Report 05/08. IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme, Cheltenham

    Google Scholar 

  • IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) (2003) Radioactive Waste Management Glossary. IAEA, Vienna

    Google Scholar 

  • IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) (2004) Safety Assessment Methodologies for Near Surface Disposal Facilities. IAEA-ISAM-1. IAEA, Vienna

    Google Scholar 

  • ICRP (International Commission on Radiological Protection) (2000) Radiation protection recommendations as applied to the disposal of long-lived radioactive waste. ICRP publication 81. Annals of the ICRP, 28(4)

    Google Scholar 

  • IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) (2005) IPCC Special report on carbon dioxide capture and storage. Metz B, Davidson O, de Coninck HC, Loos M, Meyer LA (eds). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, and New York, NY

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewicki JL, Birkholzer J, Tsang CF (2007) Natural and industrial analogues for leakage of CO2 from storage reservoirs: identification of features, events, and processes and lessons learned. Environ Geol 52:457–467

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mathieson A, Wright I, Roberts D, Ringrose P (2009) Satellite imaging to monitor CO2 movement at Krechba, Algeria. In Gale J, Herzog H, Braitsch J (eds) Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies. Energy Procedia, 1:2201–2209

    Google Scholar 

  • Maul PR, Savage D, Benbow SJ, Walke RC, Bruin R (2005) Development of a FEP database for the Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide. In: Rubin ES, Keith DW, Gilboy CF (eds) Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, vol 1. Elsevier, London, pp 701–710

    Google Scholar 

  • Maul PR, Metcalfe R, Pearce J, Savage D, West JM (2007) Performance assessments for the Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide: learning from the radioactive waste disposal experience. Int J Greenhouse Gas Control 1(4):444–455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maul PR, Beaubien SE, Bond A, Limer L, Lombardi S, Pearce J, Thorne M, West J (2009) Modelling the fate of carbon dioxide in the near-surface environment at the Latera natural analogue site. In Gale J, Herzog H, Braitsch J (eds) Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies. Energy Procedia, 1:1879–1885

    Google Scholar 

  • Metcalfe R, Maul PR, Benbow SJ, Watson CE, Hodgkinson DP, Paulley A, Limer L, Walke RC, Savage D (2009) A unified approach to performance Assessment (PA) of geological CO2 storage. In Gale J, Herzog H, Braitsch J (eds) Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies. Energy Procedia, 1:2503–2510

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller W, Alexander R, Chapman N, McKinley I, Smellie J (2000) Geological disposal of radioactive wastes and natural analogues. Lessons from nature and archaeology. Pergamon, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Moritis G (2006) CO2 injection gains momentum. Oil Gas J 104(15):37–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagra (Nationale Genossenschaft für die Lagerung radioaktiver Abfälle—National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste) (2002) Project Opalinus Clay: safety report—Demonstration of the disposal feasibility for spent fuel, vitrified high-level waste and long-lived intermediate-level waste (Entsorgungsnachweis). Technical Report 02-05. Nagra, Wettingen

    Google Scholar 

  • NEA (Nuclear Energy Agency) (2000) Features, Events and Processes (FEPs) for Geologic Disposal of Radioactive Waste: An International Database. OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • NEA (Nuclear Energy Agency) (2005) Radioactive Waste Management Programmes in OECD/NEA member countries. OECD Publishing, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • NEA (Nuclear Energy Agency) (2007) Regulating the long-term safety of geological disposal: towards a common understanding of the main objectives and bases of safety criteria. Report NEA No. 6182. OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordbotten JM, Celia MA, Bachu S, Dahle HK (2005) Analytical solutions for CO2 leakage between two aquifers through an abandoned well. Environ Sci Technol 39(2):602–611

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Hagan A, Caitlin EB, Daneshkhah A, Eiser JR, Garthwaite P, Jenkinson D, Oakley J, Rakow T (2006) Uncertain Judgements: Eliciting Experts’ Probabilities. Wiley, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Pawar R, Carey J, Chipera S, Fessenden J, Kaszuba J, Keating G, Lichtner P, Olsen S, Stauffer P, Viswanathan H, Ziock H, Guthrie G (2006) Development of a framework for long-term performance assessment of geologic CO2 sequestration sites. In: Røkke N, Bolland O, Gale J (eds) Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies. Elsevier, London, CD-ROM

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearce JM, Czernichowski-Lauriol I, Lombardi S, Brune S, Nador A, Baker J, Pauwels H, Hatziyannis G, Beaubien S, Faber E (2004) A review of natural CO2 accumulations in Europe as analogues for geological sequestration. In: Baines S, Worden RJ (eds) Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide, vol 233, Geological society special publication. Geological Society of London, London, pp 29–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearce J, Chadwick A, Bentham M, Holloway S, Kirby G (2005) Technology status review – monitoring technologies for the geological storage of CO2. Technology Status Review Report DTI/Pub URN 05/1032. UK Department of Trade and Industry, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Pruess K (2004) Numerical simulation of CO2 leakage from a geologic disposal reservoir, including transitions from super- to subcritical conditions, and boiling of liquid CO2. SPE J 9(2):237–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Riddiford F, Wright I, Bishop C, Espie A, Tourqui A (2005) Monitoring geological storage: the In Salah gas CO2 storage project. In: Wilson M, Morris T, Gale J, Thambimuthu K (eds) Greenhouse gas control technologies: proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, vol 2. Elsevier, London, pp 1353–1359

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodwell WR, Norris S, Mäntynen M, Vieno T (2003) A thematic network on gas issues in safety assessment of deep repositories for radioactive waste (GASNET). European Commission Report EUR 20620. European Commission, Luxembourg

    Google Scholar 

  • Rutqvist J, Wu YS, Tsang CF, Bodvarsson G (2002) A modelling approach for analysis of coupled multiphase fluid flow, heat transfer, and deformation in fractured porous rock. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 39(4):429–442

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savage D (ed) (1995) The Scientific and Regulatory Basis for the Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • SKB (Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB—Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company) (2006) Long-term safety for KBS-3 repositories at Forsmark and Laxemar—A first evaluation. Main report of the SR-Can project. SKB Technical Report TR-06-09. Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB, Stockholm

    Google Scholar 

  • Stenhouse MJ, Wilson M, Herzog H, Cassidy B, Kozak M, Zhou W, Gale J (2005a) Regulatory issues associated with deep (geological) CO2 storage. In: Rubin ES, Keith DW, Gilboy CF (eds) Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, vol 1. Elsevier, London, pp 961–970

    Google Scholar 

  • Stenhouse MJ, Zhou W, Savage D, Benbow S (2005b) Framework methodology for long-term assessment of the fate of CO2 in the Weyburn field. In: Benson SM (ed) Carbon Dioxide Capture for Storage in Deep Geologic Formations—Results from the CO2 Capture Project, vol 2, Geologic Storage of CO2 with Monitoring and Verification. Elsevier, London, pp 1251–1261

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Torp TA, Gale J (2003) Demonstrating storage of CO2 in geological reservoirs: the Sleipner and Sacs projects. In: Gale J, Kaya Y (eds) Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, vol 1. Pergamon, Amsterdam, pp 311–316

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Torvanger A, Fuglestvedt J, Grimstadl AA, Georgescul S, Lindeberg E, Olevier ML, Rive N, Rypdal K, Skeie RB (2006) Climate impacts of leakage from geological CO2 storage.In: Røkke N, Bolland O, Gale J (eds) Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Technologies. Elsevier, London, CD-ROM

    Google Scholar 

  • US DOE (United States Department of Energy) (2004) 2004 WIPP compliance recertification Application (CRA)—Main Volume. DOE/WIPP 04-3231. Carlsbad, NM. http://www.wipp.energy.gov/library/CRA/CRA_Index.htm

  • West JM, Pearce JM, Bentham M, Maul PR (2005) Issue profile: environmental issues and the geological storage of CO2. Eur Environ 15:250–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson M, Monea M (eds) (2004) IEA GHG Weyburn CO2 monitoring and storage project:summary report 2000–2004. In Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, vol III. Petroleum Technology Research Centre, Regina

    Google Scholar 

  • ZEP (Zero Emission Fossil Fuel Power Plants Technology Platform) (2006) A vision for zero emission fossil fuel power plants. European Commission Report EUR 22043. European Commission. Luxembourg

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Quintessa Limited, The Hub, 14 Station Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, RG9 1AY

    Philip Maul

Authors
  1. Philip Maul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Philip Maul .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. International Atomic Energy Agency, Wagramer Str. 5, Wien, 1400, Austria

    Ferenc L. Toth

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Maul, P. (2011). Risk Assessment, Risk Management and Remediation for the Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste and Storage of Carbon Dioxide. In: Toth, F. (eds) Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste: A Comparative Assessment. Advances in Global Change Research, vol 44. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8712-6_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation