Regional scale screening over selected regions of bangladesh to identify potential sites for the disposal of low and intermediate level radioactive waste

Abstract

Disposal of radioactive wastes has been emerged as a vital issue for Bangladesh as the country is actively working to be the nuclear power plant operating country by 2023-2024. Current study aims to find out potential sites for a near-surface disposal facility using geographic information system software and multi-criteria analysis method. Previously six regions (Region-1 to Region-6) were identified upon performing continental scale screening over the whole territory of Bangladesh. In the current study, regional scale screening has been performed over the Region-1 and Region-2 using five criteria divided into fifteen sub-criteria, namely earthquakes, wind speed, rainfall, cultivated-vegetated land, forests, buildings-facilities-build up areas (area), buildings-facilities-Industries-institutions (Point), population density, medium-broad road and railway, narrow road, power line, ground water table, surface water body and lastly flood were used in the analysis. The suitability map and relative importance weighting of these sub-criteria were determined by using geographic information system and multi-criteria analysis method. The overlay analysis was performed over suitability maps of each sub-criterion and found final suitability map of the Region-1 and Region-2. These suitability maps were divided into six category, namely excluded area, most suitable, suitable, moderately suitable, unsuitable and completely unsuitable. Nineteen potential sites with maximum and minimum area of 7.90 km2 and 1.15 km2 were identified from these most suitable and suitable areas. Detailed field investigation and site characterization are needed to be performed on selected potential sites to choose a final disposal site for the low and intermediate levels of radioactive waste.