Publications

Maintaining Continuity of Knowledge on Nuclear Waste Destined for Geological Repositories. A Case Study of Plutonium Shipments to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)

Haddal, Risa H.; Finch, Robert F.; Smartt, Heidi A.

This study examines methods that can help maximize confidence in maintaining Continuity of Knowledge (CoK) on plutonium-bearing wastes, from a final safeguards-verification measurement through emplacement underground. The study identifies Containment and Surveillance (C/S) measures that can be applied during packaging of plutonium wastes at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, USA, through shipment to, and receipt and disposal at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, New Mexico, USA. Results of this study could apply to countries with a Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) that plan to dispose in a geological repository plutonium or other non-fuel nuclear materials that are under international safeguards.