Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste: A Comparative Assessment, 2011
Advances in Global Change Research Series, Vol. 44

Fossil fuels will remain the backbone of the global energy economy for the foreseeable future. The contribution of nuclear energy to the global energy supply is also expected to increase. With the pressing need to mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the fossil energy industry is exploring the possibility of carbon dioxide disposal in geological media.

Geological disposal has been studied for decades by the nuclear industry with a view to ensuring the safe containment of its wastes. Geological disposal of carbon dioxide and that of radioactive waste gives rise to many common concerns in domains ranging from geology to public acceptance. In this respect, comparative assessments reveal many similarities, ranging from the transformation of the geological environment and safety and monitoring concerns to regulatory, liability and public acceptance issues. However, there are profound differences on a broad range of issues as well, such as the quantities and hazardous features of the materials to be disposed of, the characteristics of the targeted geological media, the site engineering technologies involved and the timescales required for safe containment at the disposal location.

There are ample opportunities to learn from comparisons and to derive insights that will assist policymakers responsible for national energy strategies and international climate policies.

Preface H.-H. Rogner

Introductory chapter

Comparing the Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste: Introduction and Overview

Section A Thematic Assessments

Geological Media and Factors for the Long-term Emplacement and Isolation of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste

Environmental Issues in the Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste

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

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

Transport of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste

Engineering Challenges in the Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste and Carbon Dioxide

The Costs of the Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste

Managing Liability: Comparing Radioactive Waste Disposal and Carbon Dioxide Storage

Public Acceptance of Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste: Similarities and Differences

Comparative Ethical Issues Entailed in the Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste and Carbon Dioxide in the Light of Climate Change

Psychological Perspectives on the Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste and Carbon Dioxide

Section B Regional Assessments

Comparative Assessment of Status and Opportunities for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage and RadioactiveWaste Disposal in North America

Comparing the Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste in Western Europe

Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste in Central and Eastern Europe: A Regional Overview of Geological Storage and Disposal Potential

Comparison of the Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste in European Russia

Comparison between Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste in China

Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste in the Geotectonically Active Country of Japan

The Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide and Disposal of Nuclear Waste in South Africa

Assessment of the Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide and Radioactive Waste in Brazil, and Some Comparative Aspects of their Disposal in Argentina

Index