Site Investigation Oskarshamn

SKB has carried out one of two site investigations in the Laxemar area north of Oskarshamn. The purpose was to find a suitable site for the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel. The site investigation in Oskarshamn started in mid-2002 and was concluded in early 2008. In June 2009 Forsmark was elected as the site for the final repository.

The site investigations have to a great extent involved drilling boreholes in the rock. In November 2007 the last borehole was finished, at which point there were 19 deep and 25 short cored boreholes in the Laxemar area. In addition there are 43 percussion boreholes, 31 of which were drilled during the site investigation.

There has also been extensive investigations of the ground surface, including geological surveys and ground geophysical surveys. These have given a comprehensive picture of the bedrock, while the boreholes and the measurements have given knowledge of the bedrock conditions at depth.

The Äspö and Laxemar areas have been studied in terms of geology, hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry and ecology. This information can be used for a number of purposes, for example to describe the water cycle and hydrogeochemical processes in 3D.

SKB's societal programme

SKB’s societal programme includes research and studies aiming at increasing the understanding of various societal aspects in connection to the nuclear waste issue. The programme examines socioeconomic aspects, decision processes, opinion formation and global changes.

For further information about Site Investigations Oskarshamn, please visit SKB's website.

(Source: www.skb.se)