The HADES URL is the main research infrastructure for studies on geological disposal in Belgium. The Belgian URL is situated at the Mol nuclear area and is located in the Boom Clay formation at a depth of approximately 225 meters.
Microbial research
Preparation of batch experiments in an anaerobic glove box specifically designed and optimized to perform microbial research. Photo: SCK•CEN.
VLJ-repository in Olkiluoto
Low- and intermediate-level operating waste generated at the Olkiluoto power plant is finally disposed of in the VLJ-repository. It was commissioned in 1992 and consists of two rock silos, a hall connecting the two and auxiliary facilities constructed at a depth of 60-100 meters inside the bedrock. Low-level waste is deposited in the rock silo […]
Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory
The Mont Terri Underground Rock Laboratory (URL) is located in the Jura Mountains in Switzerland, 300 m below ground level. It provides access to the proposed host rock for deep geological disposal of radioactive waste in Switzerland, Opalinus Clay. There are numerous experiments ongoing at Mont Terri including several focused on the potential role of […]
ONKALO – the planned repository in Finland
Posiva Oy is constructing the ONKALO characterisation tunnel in Olkiluoto. Research conducted in the tunnel will verify the suitability of the Olkiluoto bedrock for final disposal.
Presentation of MIND in IGD-TP Newsletter #4
The IGD-TP (Implementing Geological Disposal – Technical Platform) published their 4th Newletter today. MIND is presented as one of the new EU project. IGD-TP-Newsletter_4
Äspö HRL
The Äspö HRL (hard rock laboratory) outside Oskarshamn is a unique facility. SKB is conducting full-scale research and development here in preparation for the construction of a final repository for spent nuclear fuel. Microbial studies have been done for almost three decades at Äspö HRL by national as well as international groups.
The FEBEX experiment at the Grimsel Test Site
Recently the Full-scale Engineered Barrier Experiment (FEBEX), which is intended among other things to provide greater knowledge of different processes in clay buffers, was dismantled. The purpose with the FEBEX was to increase the knowledge about the near-field of a repository for high-level radioactive waste.
MIND – Microbiology In Nuclear waste Disposal
The Microbiology In Nuclear waste Disposal (MIND) programme is a unique multidisciplinary project which brings together a broad range of leading research institutions and stakeholders in the field of radioactive waste disposal to address the Euratom 2014-2015 Work Programme topic NFRP 6 – 2014: Supporting the implementation of the first-of-the-kind geological repositories. The aim with […]
Mont Terri HRL
Mont Terri HRL is one of the research facilities that is used in the MIND Project. Photo: Birgitta Kalinowski
Visualisation of microbes
Methanosarcina barkeri visualised using FISH, fluorescent in situ hybridisation, using the CY-3 DNA probe specific for Archaea. Photo: Linda Johansson, Micans