FUNMIG: Fundamental Processes of Radionuclide Migration

Project summary

FUNMIG is a four-year (2005-2008) Integrated Project under the Sixth Framework Programme of the EC, starting on 1 January 2005 . Main objectives of FUNMIG are the fundamental understanding of radionuclide migration processes in the geosphere, especially focused on tools for application to performance assessment. Training and communication of the results to different end-users are prominent issues of FUNMIG.

Objectives

The project tackles one of the main challenges for a sustainable European energy mix, namely scientific and social credibility of geological high level nuclear waste disposal.

FUNMIG aims at:

• Providing tools for scientifically sound performance assessment for radionuclide migration from near-field to hydrosphere/biosphere.
• Covering the variability of different radioactive waste disposal approaches and host-rocks types under investigation in Europe.
• Ensuring optimized use of resources and communication on this issue between Member States with large programs and a high competence levels.
• Providing for knowledge transfer in order to foster a common competence level among all European countries.
• Providing communication with national regulatory bodies responsible for the fulfilment of compliance with safety standards.
• Ensuring applicability of results for different radioactive waste disposal options and national needs.

FUNMIG's consortium consists of 51 partners from national waste management organisations (7), different sized and types of research organisations (17), universities (24) and small and medium sized enterprises (3). These contractors come from 15 European countries, including 5 new Member States.

In addition, a number of Associated Groups contribute to the overall objectives, especially communicating the project with representatives of public safety interests, namely national regulatory bodies. The project is coordinated by the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe G.m.b.H. (FZK-INE).

FUNMIG is organized through the following Research and Technology Development Components (RTDC):

• RTDC 1 : Well established processes
• RTDC 2 : Less established processes
• RTDC 3 : Radionuclide migration in clay-rich host formations
• RTDC 4 : Processes and transport studies relevant for crystalline rock disposal concepts
• RTDC 5 : Processes and transport studies relevant for salt rock disposal concepts
• RTDC 6 : Integration of processes and abstraction to performance assessment
• Component 7 : Training, knowledge management and dissemination of knowledge.

SCK•CEN is in particular involved in RTDC's 3 and 6, and component 7.

website: http://www.funmig.com/

Maes Norbert