UK to immobilize plutonium in deep geological repository
The United Kingdom plans to bury radioactive waste from a former nuclear power plant in a special nuclear burial site. The immobilization process will include transforming plutonium into a form similar to ceramic or stone. Experts call it a "positive step."
We recently reported on the plans of Sweden, which has already begun constructing a large nuclear repository for radioactive waste near its nuclear power plant, and now the UK is following the same direction. The British government has decided to dispose of its stockpile of 140 metric tonnes of radioactive plutonium, which is currently stored in a secure facility in Sellafield, Cumbria. Like the Swedes, they want to bury it deep underground. This is the largest amount of plutonium in the world, originating from nuclear fuel processing.
The collected plutonium was to be reused
Plutonium is produced from reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, which—as BBC describes—can be seen through thick, leaded glass with a yellowish glow, undeniably shining, confirming its high radioactivity. For many years, plutonium has been collected in a form that allowed it to be reprocessed into new nuclear fuel. However, the British government has now decided that this material will no longer be reused; hence, it plans to secure it deep underground.
Previous governments maintained plutonium to keep the option of its reuse. However, storing this substance in its current form is costly and complicated, as the radioactive material must be regularly repackaged due to the harmful effects of radiation on its containers. Additionally, its protection by armed guards generates costs reaching £70 million annually (converted to Canadian dollars, that's approximately CAD 125 million).
This is a step towards the final disposal of plutonium
The UK government has deemed that the safest and most economical solution will be to "immobilize" the entire stockpile of plutonium. This means a facility will be built in Sellafield where the plutonium will be transformed into a durable material with a structure resembling rocks, allowing it to be safely stored in deep geological deposits.
The UK's energy minister, Michael Shanks, as quoted by the BBC, stated that the goal is to secure this material in a form that minimizes long-term risk during storage and makes it ready for final disposal.
Experts call it a "positive step"
Nuclear materials expert Dr. Lewis Blackburn from the University of Sheffield explained that the plutonium will be transformed into a ceramic material, which is solid and stable, although still radioactive, making it safe for storage.
Nuclear waste expert Prof. Claire Corkhill from the University of Bristol admitted that the government’s decision was a "positive step." As she told the BBC, this will pave the way for eliminating the costs and risks associated with storing plutonium at Sellafield "by transforming it and locking it away into a solid, durable material that will last for millions of years in a geological disposal facility." "These materials are based on those we find in nature - natural minerals, that we know have contained uranium for billions of years," she added.
Currently, the government is in the early stages of a long technical-political process related to selecting a suitable site for building a deep geological facility designed to store the most dangerous radioactive wastes. This facility is expected to be ready no earlier than 2050.
