Transdisciplinary research on the topic of long-term near-field monitoring of a geological repository with a view to building trust
Authors: Othmer Johann Arne , Lux Karl-Heinz , Wolters Ralf , Feierabend Jörg 
Published: November 2021

Abstract. Within the framework of disposal of radioactive waste in Germany, the
question arises how trust in the safety of a future deep geological repository and
therefore the acceptability can be increased. One aspect that could contribute
to this is the option of long-term monitoring of a deep geological repository by
participation of the civil society. Whether and exactly how long-term
monitoring of a deep geological repository leads to more trust, is being researched in
the transdisciplinary work package TRUST within the research project TRANSENS
in cooperation with members of the civil society. For the transdisciplinary
processing of specific repository topics, a group of 16 persons from the civil
society were recruited, none of which were stakeholders with respect to the
topic of repositories. This group is designated as the Working Group
Civil Society (AGBe). With the help of 12 members of the AGBe a first workshop on
the topic “Monitoring and trust” was carried out on 13 March 2021, supported
by partners of the LUH-IRS, the TUBS-IGG and the ETH-TdLab. This article is concerned with the preparation work, the course itself and the
knowledge gained from the workshop. It deals with the preparation work in the
form of a website and a report on information of the AGBe suitable for those
who have been addressed, which has meant a challenge in view of the complexity of the
topic of monitoring of a deep geological repository and prior knowledge of the
AGBe. Furthermore, the course of the workshop, which was carried out online
due to the coronavirus pandemic, is discussed, in which the 12 members of the
AGBe and 10 scientists came together. The workshop began with a brainstorming
on the topic of monitoring. This was followed by two specialist lectures, in
which information on deep geological disposal and monitoring as well as the
possibilities and limits of monitoring and monitoring conceptions was
presented. The members of the AGBe were then divided into three groups, in
which the central research questions of the workshop were discussed: Does a long-term near-field monitoring contribute to trust in the safety of deep geological disposal of radioactive waste? Which aspects of monitoring conceptions could increase trust in the implementation of near-field monitoring and which do not? After the presentation of the results from the group discussion a common
discussion was first carried out in the plenum, in which a picture of the
sentiments within the AGBe was finally formulated. Furthermore, the knowledge from the three discussion formats of the workshop
is presented in this article. This includes the characterization of
information and communication with the civil society as a central aspect in
relationship with monitoring and trust. Furthermore, it showed that the AGBe
views the long-term monitoring of a repository as a suitable measure for
gaining trust. However, which aspects of monitoring conceptions contribute significantly to trust in
the safe storage of radioactive waste is less clear after this first workshop and could not be
conclusively answered. The results of this workshop with the AGBe reflect a first impression in the
discussion on monitoring and trust. As monitoring is a complex topic with many
interfaces on repository storage and sealing concepts, repository processes
and multiple physical simulations as well as on societal topics, the
discussion with the AGBe on the topic of monitoring should be continued during
the course of the project. Thereby, it must be taken into consideration if the first
positive assesments as well as the first AGBe specific requirements regarding long-term near-field monitoring activities will change with increasing
knowledge.