569 



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At the site, the specially designed waste containers would be 

 buried ten's of meters into clay sediments. Based on 

 preliminary information, the clay may provide a nearly 

 impervious natural barrier which could prevent the migration of 

 the waste, even if the waste container failed. These clay 

 tombs would be located near the center of stable tectonic 

 plates of the ocean floor under the hub of a surface 

 circulating water mass. The potential sites would be sought 

 away from shipping lanes and communications cables and in areas 

 of low natural resources. 



Following emplacement of waste in a subseabed repository, the 

 repository site would be monitored to assure correct 

 emplacement and to take any corrective action if necessary. 



The subseabed alternative is not intended to replace mined 

 repositories, but rather it is being assessed as a potential 

 disposal alternative. Areas of both the North Pacific and 

 North Atlantic are being studied to determine if there are 

 feasible locations for subseabed disposal sites. 



