Deep borehole disposal of nuclear waste: US perspective

Abstract Radioactive waste disposal in deep boreholes may be more “ready” than disposal in mined geologic repositories since humans have greater experience operating small deep holes (i.e., boreholes) than big shallow holes (i.e., mines). There are millions of precedents for constructing >2 km deep boreholes and several hundred precedents for disposing long-lived wastes in boreholes. Borehole disposal is likely to be faster, cheaper, and more flexible than mined disposal, while also offering greater long-term isolation. Isolation would rely on the great depth, water density gradients, and reducing conditions to prevent vertical movement of waste up the borehole.