One of today's most serious concerns is the disposal of nuclear fuel waste; no other peacetime technology evokes such public disquiet. In this book, Dr. Wiles expertly describes the nature of radioactivity and nuclear power. The subject matter is presented in a clear and eloquent manner and the author discusses, in detail, the management of radioactive waste using the multi-barrier system as well as taking a rather unusual approach to risk assessment. Based on a precise knowledge of the chemical properties of radionuclides in spent fuel, The Chemistry of Nuclear Fuel Waste Disposal follows each principal radionuclide as it travels through numerous levels of obstruction. Findings show that only two radionuclides effectively reach the biosphere, and do so only after many thousands of years.

This book is a must for anyone interested in nuclear waste disposal including the processes involved, the areas of uncertainty and the bases for statements about risk to human and other life. Policymakers and their advisors will find it an invaluable source of information on the state of knowledge and the scientific background for the recommendations on which policy decisions and investments will be made.

READERSHIP

Anyone seriously interested in nuclear waste disposal will find information and easily under-standable explanations of the processes involved, the areas of certainty and of uncertainty, and the bases for statements about risk and safety to human and other life over time.

Policy-makers and their advisors will find this book a reliable source of information on the state of knowledge, the necessary assumptions, and the scientific background for the recommendations on which policy decisions and investments will be made.

NEED

About one-fifth of the world's supply of energy is derived from nuclear fission. While this important source of power avoids the environmental and re-source problems of most other fuels, and although nuclear accident statistics are much less alarming, no other peacetime technology has evoked such public disquiet and impassioned feeling.

Central to these fears is the management and disposal of radioactive waste. An expert Canadian panel in 1977 recommended permanent disposal of wastes in deep geological formations, providing a basis for subsequent policies and research. In 1988, the Federal Environmental Assessment Review Office (FEARO) appointed a panel to assess pro-posed disposal concepts and to recommend govern-ment policy. The panel in turn appointed a Scientific Review Group to examine the underlying science. Behind these issues lay the question: How well is the chemistry understood? This became the principal concern of Professor Donald Wiles, the senior nuclear chemist of the Scientific Review Group.

SUBJECT

In this book, Dr. Wiles carefully describes the nature of radioactivity and of nuclear power and discusses in detail the management of radioactive waste by the multi-barrier system, but also takes an unusual approach to assessing the risks. Using knowledge of the chemical properties of the various radionuclides in spent fuel, this book follows each of the important radionuclides as it travels through the many barriers placed in its path. It turns out that only two radionuclides are able to reach the biosphere, and they arrive at the earth's surface only after many thousands of years.

A careful analysis of the critical points of the disposal plan emphasizes site rejection criteria and other stages at which particular care must be taken, demonstrating how dangers can be anticipated and putting to rest the fear of nuclear fuel waste and its geological burial.