Knowledge development since the Seventies Original Research Article

This paper deals with the development of technical and scientific knowledge related to the disposal of long-lived radioactive waste in deep geological repositories since the 1970s, evaluates the progress achieved during the last two decades, and mentions the main orientations of current activities. Wider issues are also addressed briefly, such as the environmental and ethical background for geological disposal, and the strategies currently followed for the implementation of this concept. The starting point is to recall the situation in the early 1970s with regard to the thinking on deep geological repositories. A few important milestones and examples which have marked knowledge development during this period are described. In this respect, the complementarity of national research and the international evaluation of the results is stressed. Finally, an attempt is made to describe todayʹs situation with regard to the level of current knowledge and the extent to which further progress can be anticipated and in which directions.