After the adoption of the National Program for the Implementation of the Strategy for the Management of Radioactive Waste Used Resources and Spent Nuclear Fuel, by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the issue of radioactive waste management in Croatia became current. Slovene-Croatian co-ownership over the Krško nuclear power plant (KNPP) means that half of the operational and decommissioning waste, as well as spent nuclear fuel (SNF) belongs to Croatia. Until now, SNF has been kept in a pool at KNPP, and dry storage before disposal is also planned. A generic project of a SNF repository has been developed and has already undergone a second revision and review. The project idea involves site selection in both countries and the conceptual solution of the SKB-3V type in crystalline rock. This paper presents an estimate of the thermal-hydro-mechanical effects (THME) of the SNF repository in crystalline rock (granodiorite) of SKB-3V concept by developing a numerical model in the SIGMA/W, SEEP/W and TEMP/W software. Simulations have shown that it is possible to construct a SNF repository in the crystalline rocks of Croatia or Slovenia, that the generic repository project is well-designed and that a model of hydro-thermo-mechanical effects of spent nuclear fuel on the rock in Croatia/Slovenia can be produced, which proves the suitability of the rock mass for this purpose.

Given the forthcoming need for the construction of a repository for low and intermediate radioactive level waste in the Republic of Croatia, this paper proposes a repository design which is, from a geotechnical point of view, simple, practical and safe, and significantly improved considering current conceptual designs. Existing low and intermediate radioactive level waste repositories are mostly vault-type, near-surface constructions with some kind of covering (top) system of protective layers. However, most of these repositories do not have a bottom protective system, apart from concrete flooring (base). The reasons for such designs include the presumed longevity of the waste packages (containers), which are mostly reinforced concrete and/or steel containers. Considering that the concrete is a material which will, under certain conditions, deteriorate (e.g. dissolution of the cement matrix), and so potentially release radionuclides to the environment, it is essential to design the repository in such a manner that all forms of early release of radionuclides are prevented. The improved conceptual design of low and intermediate radioactive level waste repository presented in this paper is intended to provide an improved containment of radionuclides from waste and ensure the long term safety of the repository. This paper is the first in a series which will cover the basic design of the repository, systems of protective layers and preliminary slope stability analyses.

Having access to relevant data is essential for ensuring the quality and outreach of research work. In the context of the nuclear field, access to information and data facilitates competence building, long-term professional development, research, and information dissemination. Potential users of nuclear information resources come from different domains: scientists, experts, students, and the public. One of the main roles of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is to ensure and promote peaceful uses of atomic energy worldwide. Through their activities, the IAEA strongly encourages the exchange of scientific and technical information. This paper presents an overview of different nuclear and radiological data available in several International Atomic Energy Agency databases. All data is available free of charge for educational and informational use. A summary of information is given for each database presented on the content, access options, copyright, acknowledgement, and dissemination of the available information. A concise summary of this various data might help in capacity building, as well as encourage research and information sharing between different stakeholders in the field.

Donošenjem Nacionalnog programa provedbe Strategije zbrinjavanja radioaktivnog otpada, iskorištenih izvora i istrošenog nuklearnog goriva, Vlada Republike Hrvatske je ratificirala Strategiju koja dijelom određuje gospodarenje reziduima. S obzirom na važeću legislativu bit će nužno regulatorno modificirati trenutačne i predvidjeti buduće rudarske i druge industrijske aktivnosti u kojima nastaju rezidui i pri kojima se manipulira reziduima. U radu se daje detaljan pregled legislative te preporuka i smjernica, u skladu s posljednjim dostignućima, za gospodarenje postojećim i budućim odlagalištima i mjestima za privremeno pohranjivanje rezidua.