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Monitoring Methods Used to Identify the Migration of Carbon Dioxide and Radionuclides in the Geosphere

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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

The disposal of industrial wastes in the subsurface has been ongoing for some time. Effective monitoring methods are necessary to verify both the safety of the disposed materials and the reliability of the methods used under present and future conditions. Utilizing reliable monitoring and verification methods is critical to understanding what is happening to both carbon dioxide and radioactive waste sequestered in the subsurface. Information gained while monitoring is useful to help determine what remedial action can be taken in the event of premature or unexpected escape of such geologically sequestered materials. This chapter looks at some of the general technologies used for monitoring the behaviour of these wastes in the subsurface and provides a general comparison of the methods used. An example is provided of how one method being used to monitor the behaviour of carbon dioxide in the subsurface could be adapted to monitor radioactive waste.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are very grateful to the editor and reviewers for their supportive comments, which led to considerable improvements in the clarity of the text.

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Correspondence to Brian Brunskill .

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Brunskill, B., Wilson, M. (2011). Monitoring Methods Used to Identify the Migration of Carbon Dioxide and Radionuclides in the Geosphere. 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_5

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