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Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology
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Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology; 2002; v. 35; issue.1; p. 96
© 2002 Geological Society of London

Discussion Paper

Discussion of ‘Coast erosion at a nuclear waste shaft, Dounreay, Scotland’ by J.N. Hutchinson, D.L. Millar & N.H. Trewin Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, Vol. 34, 245-268

J.L. Knill1, J.N. Hutchinson2, D.L. Millar3 & N.H. Trewin4

1 1Highwood Farm, Long Lane, Shaw, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2TB
2 2Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Imperila College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London SW7 2BU
3 3Cambourne School of Mines, University of Exeter, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 3SE
4 4Department of Geology and Petroelum Geology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE

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J.L. Knill writes: The paper by Hutchinson et al. (2001) provides convincing conclusions as to the rate of recession of the marine cliff at Dounreay towards the intermediate level radioactive waste disposal shaft. However, the paper omits any reference to the earlier joint study by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment & Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee (1995) even though this was the source for the newspaper article (Arlidge & Wilkie 1995) which is cited. The joint study concluded that ‘The shaft is likely to be breached by natural erosion within the next hundred years or so.’; this conclusion was greeted sceptically by the UKAEA at the time. However, it is not too dissimilar to the minimum figure of 165 years quoted by Hutchinson et al. on the basis of pessimistic assumptions. Two factors could contribute to somewhat shorter time spans, in terms on radiological safety, than those determined by Hutchinson et al.

First, in recognizing the influence of future climate change, Hutchinson et al. pay particular attention to sea level rise. Global circulation models have demonstrated that there will also be increased storminess in the NE Atlantic under greenhouse-driven climate change. Some would argue that a recent history of extreme weather incidents is now a part of the United Kingdom's climate. In parallel, it has been observed that the height of Atlantic waves approaching Britain and Ireland has been steadily increasing. Therefore, in any assessment of an exposed coastline, such as at Dounreay, . . . [Full Text of this Article]