Surface traces

Mechanism

Surface traces

Approach

Markers

Surface traces are any long-lasting feature(s), visible at the ground surface without excavation, which can

be identified as originating from the use of a site for a large-scale, industrial activity. The traces must be

Definition/description

anthropogenic, they may consist of residual elements of site structures (mounds, walls, foundations, etc.)

but also of human-induced changes to the natural environment (altered water courses, excavations,

etc.). Depending on the nature and the scale of the features and the degree to which they blend with the

local environment as they age, they may be more visible from above (e.g. by flying over the site, google

earth, etc.).

If a site is closed and abandoned without full restoration, adventitious surface traces will be inevitable.

Surface traces may also be deliberately left in situ, or even created by design. Surface traces are notably

How does this

conceived as supporting RK&M preservation in the long term, when oversight has lapsed. The idea is

mechanism contribute

that they will preserve or recreate awareness, by alerting the observer to previous activity at the site. In

to RK&M preservation/

themselves, they are unlikely to provide a straightforward message about the facility, but they can

How can it be

stimulate interest in previous activities at the site, and may thus contribute to the restoration of

implemented?

information, memory and/or knowledge relating to the operations conducted there. In order to fulfil this

function they will need to be recognised and linked to other information sources, on-site (e.g. sub-

surface markers) or off-site (e.g. archives).

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

Information:

Records:

Knowledge:

Memory:

Awareness: X

Surface traces can only act to provide awareness.

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

Low level of detail: X

High level of detail:

Surface traces can only act to provide awareness, for example that the site had previously been used for

Scope

significant human industrial activity, which is a message with a 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: X

National:

International:

Virtual:

Over time, surface traces are likely only to provide their input at a local or regional scale. Their deliberate

development can be addressed nationally or even internationally.

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

Long term: X

Medium term:

Short term:

Very short term:

Surface traces may aid RK&M preservation in the medium term (e.g. pointing out the dimension of the

repository, complementing alternative reuse of the site, being part of monitoring schemes), but are

mainly aimed at the long term.

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

Pre-operational:

Operational:

Pre-closure: X

Post-closure: X

Timescales

If no deliberate action is undertaken to remove them, surface traces will appear throughout the

operational, preand post-closure phase. The deliberate implementation of surface traces would notably

take place during the pre-closure and/or post-closure phase.

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: X

Post-closure:

The concept and design of deliberate surface traces can be developed once the site is known and the

disposal concept decided upon, possibly in connection with the development of markers or

monuments.

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: X

Cannot be controlled: X

Intentionally implemented surface traces may have higher chances to persist and maintain awareness,

but unintentional traces are likely to be left after closure of the repository unless serious efforts are made

Characteristics

to remove them. In this sense, some degree of residual surface traces is likely to be uncontrollable.

Is the mechanism mainly tangible or intangible?

Tangible: X

Intangible:

This mechanism refers to tangible traces on the surface of the disposal site.

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

Mediated transmission:

Non-mediated transmission: X

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PRESERVATION OF RK&M ACROSS GENERATIONS: FINAL REPORT OF THE RK&M INITIATIVE, NEA No. 7421, © OECD 2019