Mechanism

Monuments

Actors

The development and implementation of monumental markers would be a multidisciplinary and

participatory endeavour, involving implementing agencies, local communities, architects, local/regional

governments, engineers, etc.

Monumental structures are and continue to be a known mechanism to preserve awareness and

regenerate memory of areas of influence, power or danger. They are particularly aimed at material and

epistemic durability and robustness, and thus designed to withstand societal and/or natural disruptions

Main

without reliance on mediated transmission. Apart from these benefits that are particularly valuable for

strengths/benefits

the long term, for the medium term they also have high potential to be integrated into a mediated

systemic strategy, in connection to multiple other mechanisms and with the involvement of multiple

actors (e.g. complementary to land use controls, alternative reuse of the disposal site, intangible cultural

heritage, education and research, art, local history, heritage inventories and catalogues, etc.).

Building a robust monument able to withstand the effects of weather over centuries or even millennia

entails significant costs, which, as compared to the potential and difficult to measure benefits it brings,

Specific

may be considered as inappropriate by decision makers. Taking care of the monument over the first

centuries in order to monitor its durability will also require funding, unless a completely passive

issues/challenges

evolution of the monument is taken into account from the time of design and construction.

The effectiveness of monuments depends on the shared symbolic universe of the producers and the

addressed – their initial intention may be lost over time.

International

Monuments can attract international interest, e.g. in the context of tourism. They could also be listed in

dimension

international inventories and catalogues.

Markers

Memory institutions

Connection to other

Culture, education and art

Time capsules

approaches/

Regulatory framework

mechanisms

Oversight provisions

Dedicated record sets and summary files

(the mechanisms under these approaches can all refer/point to monuments or include them in their workings)

Information resources

issued by the RK&M

—

initiative

Other information

Mainly archaeological sources. Not applied in the field of RWM yet.

resources

•

Egyptian Pyramids

Examples

•

Great Wall of China

•

Aztec temple sites

•

Osaka castle (hosts a time capsule)

Mechanism

Sub-surface markers

Approach

Markers

Sub-surface markers are buried objects, placed directly between ground level and the disposal horizon,

Definition/description

aimed at creating awareness of the presence of hazardous waste material at the site upon their

discovery.

The purpose of sub-surface markers is to deter inadvertent intrusions by ensuring that the presence and,

to the degree possible, the nature of the repository is understood, or can be deduced in combination

with other information sources. They can be inscribed with words, figures or pictograms to convey a

particular message, and/or they may have man-made properties and/or properties that can be detected

at a distance (e.g. strong magnetic fields). The number and distribution of the sub-surface markers can

How does this

be designed to further contribute to understanding of their purpose after their discovery. A regular

array, possibly in 3-D, would make it clear that the site had been host to significant human activity. Small

mechanism contribute

markers (tokens) may be buried at various depths, in such a way that they will be progressively dispersed

to RK&M preservation/

further in the landscape by erosion. Such markers may also be buried in the upper part of the access

How can it be

drifts and shafts, in order to further clarify that they are indicators of human activity and meant to

implemented?

indicate the presence of a hazardous waste repository.

Well-designed sub-surface markers are meant to make a contribution to long-term RK&M preservation,

because they would be located at the site and would exhibit maintenance-free longevity. They are

notably meant to avoid inadvertent intrusion. Although the presence of sub-surface markers may lead to

further site investigation, this will be undertaken in a context of awareness of previous human activity

and remaining risks.

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Mechanism

Sub-surface markers

Information:

Records:

Knowledge:

Memory:

Awareness: X

Low level of detail: X

High level of detail:

Scope

Sub-surface markers are meant to preserve awareness and information with a very low level of detail.

What is the main geographical or administrative-political scope (development/implementation/

operation) of the mechanism? On which scale does the mechanism notably enable RK&M preservation?

[Note also the field “International dimension” further below.]

Local: X

Regional:

National:

International:

Virtual:

Sub-surface markers work locally. Decisions related to their implementation are likely to involve the

national stage. For the purpose of recognition, copies may also be distributed more widely, e.g. to

schools, displayed in visitor centres, etc.

Which timescale(s) is this mechanism mainly aimed at (target timescale)?

Long term: X

Medium term:

Short term:

Very short term:

Sub-surface markers are notably aimed at creating awareness in the long term. They may also play a role

in oversight activities in the medium term.

When should this mechanism be implemented? This may or may not be equal to the target timescale.

Timescales

Pre-operational:

Operational:

Pre-closure: X

Post-closure: X

Sub-surface makers can best be designed into the upper parts of the access ways (shafts and tunnels) of

the repository and its surrounding environment during the pre-closure and early post-closure phase.

When should this mechanism be developed? This may or may not be equal to the implementation

timescale.

Done:

Pre-operational:

Operational: X

Pre-closure: X

Post-closure:

The concept and design of sub-surface markers can best be developed during the operational phase, but

development is possible anytime once the site is known and the disposal concept decided upon.

Should the mechanism be implemented intentionally (e.g. time capsules) or is its emergence largely

unintentional (e.g. surface traces) or can it not be fully controlled (e.g. art work)?

Intentional: X

Unintentional:

Cannot be controlled:

This mechanism is about intentionally placing sub-surface markers.

Is the mechanism mainly tangible or intangible?

Characteristics

Tangible: X

Intangible:

Sub-surface markers are tangible.

Does the mechanism mainly rely on mediated transmission or non-mediated transmission?

Mediated transmission:

Non-mediated transmission: X

Sub-surface markers are meant to reach future generations directly, without relying on the presence of

intermediaries. But they might support mediated transmission, for example if a maintenance activity or

even a ritual would be organised e.g. for re-burying markers exhumed by erosion. Copies could be

preserved in archives as a particular type of records.

The implementing agency should explicitly plan for the installation of sub-surface markers at the

disposal site.

Actors

The nature and design of any sub-surface marker should be widely discussed, with technical,

administrative and multidisciplinary contributions (artists, semioticians, archaeologists, etc.) before

making a decision.

Main

Sub-surface markers can have a very long lifetime. They are better protected from environmental factors,

such as erosion by wind and rain, and from human threats, such as theft and vandalism, than those at

strengths/benefits

the surface.

Long-term erosion or major geomorphological changes could be disruptive to sub-surface markers. Slow

degradation of the marker material may obscure or distort the message they carry. Amateur

Specific

archaeologists, acting as “trophy hunters”, may excavate the site for buried markers.

The aim of the sub-surface markers may not be clear over time.

issues/challenges

Sub-surface markers should not interfere with the safety functions of isolation and containment nor

change the conditions of the repository environment.

Small sub-surface markers may be missed by a potential inadvertent intruder.

International

Some level of standardisation may be elaborated internationally for sub-surface markers. The

dimension

inscriptions can be developed as to achieve transnational relevance.

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Mechanism

Sub-surface markers

Markers

Regulatory framework

Culture, education and art: Art; Intangible cultural heritage; Education and Information dissemination

Connection to other

activities (information about of the existence, look and meaning of sub-surface markers could be passed on

approaches/

via these mechanisms)

mechanisms

Oversight provisions: Monitoring (the presence of sub-surface markers could be monitored)

Memory institutions: Archives (a copy of a sub-surface marker can be archived)

Time capsules (a copy of a sub-surface marker can be placed in a time capsule with accompanying

information)

Information resources

NEA (2013), A Literature Survey on Markers and Memory Preservation for Deep Geological Repositories, study

issued by the RK&M

prepared in the framework of the NEA Initiative on the Preservation of Records, Knowledge and Memory

initiative

(RK&M) across Generations, OECD, Paris.

Other information

Wisbey, S. and Hotzel, S. (2016). “Markers and Beyond: Categorizing Human Intrusion Situations to be

Addressed in Sub-surface Marking Concepts”, Waste Management Conference. Phoenix, Arizona, US.

resources

WM Symposia, US.

Examples

Buried objects are commonly used to deter excavation of gas pipes and electricity cables, although these

are generally at shallow depth (up to a few metres).

Mechanism

Deep geological markers

Approach

Markers

Definition/description

Deep geological markers are buried objects, placed in the same or an adjacent geological horizon of a

geological disposal facility, aimed at creating awareness of the presence of nearby hazardous waste

material upon their discovery.

The purpose of deep geological markers is that they would be intercepted prior to contact with the

repository, aiming to further deter inadvertent and uninformed intrusions by ensuring that the presence,

exact location and, to the degree possible, the nature of the repository is understood, or can be deduced

in combination with other information sources. They can be inscribed with words, figures or pictograms

How does this

to convey a particular message, and/or they may have physical properties that can be detected at a

distance (e.g. strong magnetic fields) and/or understood as anthropogenic. The number and distribution

mechanism contribute

of the deep geological markers can be designed to further contribute to understanding of their purpose

to RK&M preservation/

after their discovery. For example, they may be used to delineate the extent of the disposal volume.

How can it be

The installation of deep geological markers can be undertaken as part of facility construction. Excavated

implemented?

access ways (shafts and tunnels) can host such markers, as can the environment surrounding the

repository.

Well-designed deep geological markers are meant to make a contribution to long-term RK&M

preservation, because they are to be located very close to the repository and would exhibit excellent

longevity. Deep geological markers are complementary to sub-surface markers.

Does the mechanism mainly preserve information, records, knowledge, memory, or awareness?

Information:

Records:

Knowledge:

Memory:

Awareness: X

Deep geological markers are dedicated to raise awareness of the presence of a repository upon their

discovery. Their inscriptions, their nature and their distribution may convey some basic information.

Copies could also be preserved in archives, with accompanying contextual information, as a particular

type of records.

What is the level of detail addressed/provided by the mechanism?

Low level of detail: X

High level of detail:

Scope

Deep geological markers are designed to provide limited information on the repository, but for a long

period of time.

What is the main geographical or administrative-political scope

(development/implementation/operation) of the mechanism? On which scale does the mechanism

notably enable RK&M preservation?

[Note also the field “International dimension” further below.]

Local: X

Regional:

National:

International:

Virtual:

Deep geological markers work locally. Decisions related to their implementation are likely to involve the

national stage. For the purpose of recognition, copies may also be distributed more widely, e.g. to

schools, displayed in visitor centres, etc.

Which timescale(s) is this mechanism mainly aimed at (target timescale)?

Timescales

Long term: X

Medium term:

Short term:

Very short term:

Deep geological markers are notably aimed at the long term. They may also play a role in oversight

activities in the medium term.

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Mechanism

Deep geological markers

Pre-operational:

Operational: X

Pre-closure: X

Post-closure:

Deep geological makers can be designed into the excavated access ways (shafts and tunnels) of the

repository and its surrounding environment during the operational phase and at the early stage of

closure activities.

Timescales

When should this mechanism be developed? This may or may not be equal to the implementation

timescale.

Done:

Pre-operational: X

Operational: X

Pre-closure:

Post-closure:

The concept and design of deep geological markers can be developed once the site is known and the

disposal concept decided upon. As part of facility construction, they should best be developed early in

the operational phase.

Should the mechanism be implemented intentionally (e.g. time capsules) or is its emergence largely

unintentional (e.g. surface traces) or can it not be fully controlled (e.g. art work)?

Intentional: X

Unintentional:

Cannot be controlled:

While access galleries and shafts, once backfilled, will remain as deep geological traces that may be

considered as unintentional markers, dedicated deep geological markers will have to be specially

developed and implemented.

Is the mechanism mainly tangible or intangible?

Characteristics

Tangible: X

Intangible:

Deep geological markers are tangible.

Does the mechanism mainly rely on mediated transmission or non-mediated transmission?

Mediated transmission:

Non-mediated transmission: X

Deep geological markers are meant to reach future generations directly, without relying on the presence

of intermediaries. They may be accompanied by mediated transmission, e.g. with maintained sensors

above ground pointing at them. They might also support mediated transmission when copies are used

in e.g. education or preserved in archives as a particular type of records.

The implementing agency should explicitly plan for the installation of deep geological markers.

Actors

The nature and design of any deep geological marker should be widely discussed with technical,

administrative and multidisciplinary contributions (artists, semioticians, archaeologists, material

scientists, engineers, etc.) before making a decision.

Geological markers can have a very long lifetime. They are well protected from environmental factors,

Main

such as erosion by wind and rain, and from human threats, such as theft and vandalism. Their proximity

strengths/benefits

to the repository can be seen as an advantage with regard to indicating its presence and creating

awareness.

Slow degradation of the marker material may obscure or distort any message that they carry.

Specific

The aim of the deep geological markers may not be clear over time. And by raising curiosity once

re-detected, deep geological markers might encourage excavation close to the waste.

issues/challenges

Deep geological markers should not interfere with the safety functions of isolation and containment of

the repository.

International

Some level of standardisation may be elaborated internationally for deep geological markers. The

dimension

inscriptions can be developed to achieve transnational relevance.

Markers

Regulatory framework

Culture, education and art: art; intangible cultural heritage; education and Information dissemination

Connection to other

activities (information about of the existence, look and meaning of sub-surface markers could be passed on

via these mechanisms)

approaches/

Oversight provisions: monitoring (in case the presence of deep geological markers could be monitored)

mechanisms

Dedicated record sets and summary files (unlike other RK&M preservation mechanisms, deep geological

markers cannot be looked at to get confirmation of their existence; therefore it is crucial that information

about them is available in the SER and KIF)

Memory institutions: Archives (a copy of deep geological marker may be archived)

Information resources

NEA (2013), A Literature Survey on Markers and Memory Preservation for Deep Geological Repositories, study

issued by the RK&M

prepared in the framework of the NEA Initiative on the Preservation of Records, Knowledge and Memory

initiative

(RK&M) across Generations, OECD, Paris.

Other information

—

resources

• Deep geological markers may be installed in spent oil and gas wells, as they are being isolated and

Examples

remediated. They may also be used in mine tunnels and vaults.

• Some inspiration may also be drawn from “deep marine markers”, designed to identify and protect

sub-sea cables. However, these are not isolated and protected by cover rocks.

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