GEOLOGIC REPOSITORIES AND RADIOACTIVITY: CONSEQUENCES FOR EARTH SCIENCE EDUCATION

Geologic repositories for radioactive waste in rock salt in two countries (Germany and the U.S.) are in trouble. Aside from reasons of purely political expediency and largely unexamined trust in regulatory rationality, their difficulties stem from poor understanding and appreciation of basic scientific data and their interdisciplinary implications. Most natural sciences address and teach nuclear and radioactive subjects at their margins -if at all- because published, including much academic, opinion presents them as controversial and associated with unique risk. As congenitally multidisciplinary scientists and educators, earth scientists are quite well suited to elevate nuclear and radioactive matters to their proper position as the fundamental and integrative cement between the earth and related natural sciences. Progress in energy and mineral production, as well as in safe and environmentally sound waste treatment and management depends on such comprehensive and rational approach.