A series of disposal cells and, particularly, the covers used to contain radioactive and hazardous waste from site remediation are described. The disposal site locations vary from the south of Spain to the entire United States climatic zones, including the west and the high precipitation regions of the east. While the regulations that govern the design and construction of these many disposal cells and covers vary greatly, it is shown that a similar engineering approach is adopted regardless of the laws that establish performance criteria. It is concluded that the site specifics, including the availability of suitable materials and climax vegetation, are the primary determinants of the design of robust, long-term covers for radioactive and hazardous waste encapsulation. Case histories are used as a basis to suggest a series of international norms or desiderata to govern the design, construction, and maintenance of long-term disposal cell covers. Numerical and analytic pathway analysis plays a key role in the design process and fulfillment of the protection of human health and the environment.
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