what effect could radioactive wastes have on future generations? course hero

What is radioactive waste management and why is it important?

Radioactive waste is an unavoidable reality that accompanies nuclear energy use, and the techniques surrounding safe production and storage must be sustainable in order to protect current and future generations. © Sylvie Sherman.

What are the major contributors to man-made radioactive waste?

Nuclear power and research stations are the major contributors to man-made radioactive waste. These facilities bring about a nuclear reaction (usually fission) for the purpose of either production of energy (electricity) or research.

How is radioactive waste generated in nuclear power plants?

A large amount of radioactive waste is generated from nuclear reactors used in nuclear power plants and for many other purposes. It may also occur during extraction and refining of the radioactive material. Radioactive waste generates radioactivity and emits radioactive byproducts.

What are the effects of radioactive waste on the environment?

Adverse Effects of Radioactive Waste On the Environment. ► When soil is contaminated by radioactive substances, the harmful substances are transferred into the plants growing on it. It leads to genetic mutation and affects the plant’s normal functioning.

How long has the UK produced radioactive waste?

What is the safest way to dispose of radioactive waste?

What is the purpose of the GDF?

About this website

Talking to the Future -- Hey, There's Nuclear Waste Buried Here! - Forbes

How will "STAY OUT!" be written 5,000 years from now? We will eventually dispose of some amount of nuclear waste in a deep geologic repository, and with the discussion of resurrecting the Yucca Mt ...

How is radioactive waste created?

Radioactive pollution is created when radioactive byproducts of a nuclear reaction, either man-made or natural, are dumped in the environment or in the vicinity of human settlements . Nuclear power and research stations are the major contributors to man-made radioactive waste. These facilities bring about a nuclear reaction (usually fission) for the purpose of either production of energy (electricity) or research. When a heavy atom of a nuclear fuel, such as uranium, undergoes nuclear fission, it results into two daughter nuclei, both radioactive in their own rights. These byproducts aren’t reusable and thus have to be dumped. The introduction of these radioactive byproducts causes radioactive pollution.

What is radioactive waste?

Radioactive waste generates radioactivity and emits radioactive byproducts. Radioactivity is the spontaneous loss of energy from an unstable atom, in the form of various nuclear byproducts (radiation). It helps the atom gain a relatively stabler configuration. This spontaneous loss, known as radioactive decay, continues till a stable ...

How can radioactivity be nullified?

The effects of radioactivity can be nullified based in three ways: Time: Get out of the contaminated area as fast as you can. Distance: Get as far as you can from the contaminated area. Radioactive particles owe their destructive capability to their initial velocity , which enables them to penetrate our skin .

What happens when uranium is fissioned?

When a heavy atom of a nuclear fuel, such as uranium, undergoes nuclear fission, it results into two daughter nuclei, both radioactive in their own rights. These byproducts aren’t reusable and thus have to be dumped. The introduction of these radioactive byproducts causes radioactive pollution. Radioactive pollution is fast becoming ...

Why is radioactive pollution a problem?

Radioactive pollution is fast becoming a major concern due to the increase in the usage of nuclear fuel. The radioactive byproducts of nuclear reactions are often disposed without any precautionary measures to isolate the harmful components, which can contaminate air, soil and water. A large amount of radioactive waste is generated ...

How to reduce radioactivity?

Some of the most promising methods are vitrification (forming a mixture of the radioactive waste and glass and storing it in steel containers ), reusing the radioactive waste until it becomes sufficiently benign (although it is not feasible right now, research is being done in the field), and storing spent nuclear fuel in dry casks after it has been treated in spent fuel pools for a long period, at least a year.

How does radioactive pollution affect humans?

Low levels of localized exposure may only have a superficial effect and cause mild skin irritation. Effects of long, but low-intensity exposures include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of hair, bruises due to subcutaneous bleeding etc.#N#► Long-term exposure or exposure to high amounts of radiation can have far more serious health effects. Radioactive rays can cause irreparable damage to DNA molecules and can lead to a life-threatening condition. Prolonged exposure leads to a large number of molecules in the body being ionized into free radicals. Free radicals promote the growth of cancerous cells, i.e. tumors, in the body. People with heavy radiation exposure are at a very high risk for cancers.#N#► The rapidly growing/dividing cells, like those of the skin, bone marrow, intestines, and gonads are more sensitive towards radioactive emissions. On the other hand, cells that do not undergo rapid cell division, such as bone cells and nervous cells, aren’t damaged so easily.

How long has the UK produced radioactive waste?

The UK has produced radioactive waste for more than 60 years . During that time, the nuclear industry has been at the forefront of technological development, implementing successive generations of commercial power production reactors, reprocessing used fuel and applying nuclear materials in industry, medicine and defence. In common with any large industrial undertaking, these activities result in waste.

What is the safest way to dispose of radioactive waste?

It is internationally accepted that the safest and most sustainable solution for higher activity radioactive waste is geological disposal. This requires the construction of engineered facilities deep underground, making use of multiple barriers to provide isolation and containment. After it has been filled with radioactive waste, such facilities are permanently sealed and remain safe without the need for further management. Radioactive Waste Management, the UK public body, is currently developing concepts for deep geological disposal in the UK, prior to seeking potential sites for a disposal facility.

What is the purpose of the GDF?

The GDF is designed to protect future generations by passive evolution in its geological setting. One open question is whether to mark the site. In 1993, a report by Sandia National Laboratories in the US proposed adding warnings such as ’This place is not a place of honour. No highly esteemed deed is commemorated here. Nothing is valued here.’ It also highlighted proposals such as marking the site with large spikes, ‘menacing earthworks’ or even a large slab of black concrete. However, while surface markers may prevent future inadvertent intrusion, they may also attract unwelcome interest.

How does radioactive waste affect nature?

Since radioactive waste is often stored in remote places which are the living space for many animals, these animals may become contaminated with radioactive material and thus suffer from the consequences .

How do natural radioactive materials lead to radioactive waste?

These natural radioactive materials can lead to radioactive waste through the intervention of industrial processes. For example, coal power plants emit small concentrations of radioactive compounds. Moreover, the oil and gas industry also produces radioactive by-products like radium and radon.

What is transuranic waste?

Transuranic waste is defined as nuclear waste contaminated with alpha-emitting transuranic radionuclides with concentrations greater than 100 nCi/g and half-lives greater than 20 years, but which are also not classified as high-level nuclear waste.

Why is nuclear waste considered a threat?

Therefore, nuclear waste is subject to strict government regulations in order to prevent any adverse issues.

What is low level nuclear waste?

Low-level nuclear waste. Low-level nuclear waste includes clothing, filters, paper and other materials which exhibit small amounts of radioactivity. Low-level radioactive waste is usually a by-product of hospitals or industrial processes. Materials which got in touch with low-level nuclear risk areas are precautionarily designated as low-level ...

How to get rid of nuclear waste?

Space disposal. Space disposal could be a method used to get rid of nuclear waste, but it seems not a practical method in the near future. Space disposal means to bring the radioactive waste out of our atmosphere and just to drop it into space. This would remove nuclear waste from our planet.

Where is radioactive waste stored?

Radioactive waste is often stored in mills or other spaces deep in the ground. If the storage processes are not executed with great care, there can be severe adverse effects on the surrounding environment. If there are leaks in the storage space, radioactive material could contaminate the soil.

How long has the UK produced radioactive waste?

The UK has produced radioactive waste for more than 60 years . During that time, the nuclear industry has been at the forefront of technological development, implementing successive generations of commercial power production reactors, reprocessing used fuel and applying nuclear materials in industry, medicine and defence. In common with any large industrial undertaking, these activities result in waste.

What is the safest way to dispose of radioactive waste?

It is internationally accepted that the safest and most sustainable solution for higher activity radioactive waste is geological disposal. This requires the construction of engineered facilities deep underground, making use of multiple barriers to provide isolation and containment. After it has been filled with radioactive waste, such facilities are permanently sealed and remain safe without the need for further management. Radioactive Waste Management, the UK public body, is currently developing concepts for deep geological disposal in the UK, prior to seeking potential sites for a disposal facility.

What is the purpose of the GDF?

The GDF is designed to protect future generations by passive evolution in its geological setting. One open question is whether to mark the site. In 1993, a report by Sandia National Laboratories in the US proposed adding warnings such as ’This place is not a place of honour. No highly esteemed deed is commemorated here. Nothing is valued here.’ It also highlighted proposals such as marking the site with large spikes, ‘menacing earthworks’ or even a large slab of black concrete. However, while surface markers may prevent future inadvertent intrusion, they may also attract unwelcome interest.

Introduction

Dangers of Radioactive Waste

Potential Solutions

Conclusion

• Since nuclear waste can remain radioactive for hundreds of thousands of years, the choices that we make today affect future generations. Thus, the issue of nuclear energy is a moral one. Many argue that people living today should deal with the burdens of nuclear power since we will be reaping the majority of the benefits. However, others argue that...

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References