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

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.