Author 1:
Name & Surname: Rybalchenko A. I.
Company: VNIPIpromtekhnologii JSC
Work Position: Principal Researcher
Scientific Degree: Candidate of Geological–Mineralogical Sciences

Author 2:
Name & Surname: Kurochkin V. M.
Company: VNIPIpromtekhnologii JSC
Work Position: Deputy Head of Laboratory

Author 3:
Name & Surname: Vereshchagin P. M.
Company: VNIPIpromtekhnologii JSC
Work Position: Head of Laboratory
Scientific Degree: Candidate of Engineering Sciences
Contacts: Vereshchagin.P.M@vnipipt.ru

The authors appreciate participation of A. V. Ponizov, Director of Zheleznogorsk Division, National Operator for Radioactive Waste Management in this study. Based on the 50-years experience gained in research, development and practice of liquid radioactive waste disposal in deep-level weakly permeable geological structures in special repositories created at Zheleznogorsk in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Seversk in the Tomsk Region and Dimitrovgrad in the Ulyanovsk Region, the technical and technological efficiency as well as ecological and social safety of this method are positively reasoned and proved. The reported data on in situ research and observation prove retention ability of clay-overlaid sandy – clayey reservoirs to prevent migration of radionuclides, including longlived. The mentioned geological formations (structures) act as natural barriers to hold radionuclides out of natural eco-system for further solidification (in reservoir rocks) in the form of “deposits” similar to hydrogenous uranium deposits. The data on the behavior and migration of radioactive waste in sandy–clayey rocks are of interest to assess post-effect of disposal of solid and solidified waste containing longlived nuclides in weakly permeable geological formations. The deep liquid radioactive waste disposal in the discussed geological structures is an unconditional alternative to hazardous radioactive waste discharge in surface water bodies or to accumulation of solidified radioactive waste in special surface repositories. It is recommended to continue the research with a view to improve underground radioactive waste disposal technology, including liquid waste, and to upgrade monitoring of deep liquid radioactive waste disposal in geological formations retaining migration of radionuclides.

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