Encounter at Meiringen

To a geologist, the analogies between the geological disposal of radioactive wastes and the sequestration of CO2 deep underground are obvious. Both aim to isolate and contain waste products that come principally from the generation of electricity. Both focus on safety, and both are concerned with similar technical and non-technical issues. These include modelling fluid movement in and characterising deep rock formations, evaluating complex hydrogeochemical interactions, finding suitable sites and addressing associated public perception issues – particularly in communities where disposal facilities might be located. You could be forgiven, then, for thinking that scientists working on these topics communicate regularly, share experiences and work on common problems.