ipl-logo

Disadvantages Of Nuclear Transmutation

1281 Words6 Pages

Nuclear fallout is an incredibly dangerous and prevalent stain on Earth, affecting all aspects of life. Fallout is the result of nuclear detonations or nuclear accidents and is an incredibly radioactive substance that is easily spread by wind currents (“Radioactive Fallout”). Radiation is incredibly dangerous to human life- it has been found that radiation of 400 rads can have a 50% mortality rate, with over 650 being unsurvivable (Lindop 18). This danger was fully revealed after the Chernobyl disaster, with the massive regional destruction that came after a nuclear reactor melted down. Photographs of the region show widespread decay and collapse as the area was rendered too dangerous for humans to live, due to the massive radiation leakage …show more content…

Nuclear transmutation is a budding technology that is used in some countries to hasten their geological storage methods. Nuclear transmutation is an interesting technology where energy is used to trigger the fission of nuclear byproducts in order to decrease their half lives. This allows for a much faster neutralization of radioactivity, which would decrease the risks associated with nuclear storage. This process can be very beneficial, as it decreases the long-term dangers associated with spent-fuel pools and prevents any leaks from providing lasting damage (Ravier). This is perhaps the most directly related solution to the claim, as it offers to solve the problem of the longevity of nuclear fallout and radiation with minimal risk. This does not mean it is not without drawbacks. While it has been proven to work, there are still difficulties in making a version that can handle large quantities of material regularly. Furthermore, this solution provides no way to gather fallout from across the world and to isolate it for transmutation. Ultimately, nuclear transmutation is perhaps the best solution at permanently neutralizing radioactive wastes and

Show More
Related
382 Words | 2 Pages

In chapter four of the novel Wormwood Forest by Mary Mycio, Mycio explains the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear reaction, and how it had changed the ecosystem drastically. Chernobyl was a nuclear power plant in Pripyat, Ukraine that was operational during the time of the Cold War. This power plant had a sudden power surge in its reactor Unit 4, which resulted in a devastating incident. This caused large amounts of radioactive materials to be released into the air, and causing a level seven nuclear disaster, the highest level possible. After reading this chapter, it made me consider the bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima 70 years ago, and the level seven nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan.

Read More
415 Words | 2 Pages

After observing this harsh way of life, the question “What is a nuclear winter actually like?” emerges. In the article “How to Survive Nuclear Winter” by James

Read More
348 Words | 2 Pages

The general attitude by the public towards nuclear reactors is that of fear or disapproval simply due to its name or the rumors. Nuclear reactors are merely devices that sustain chain reactions, in which only one of the emitted neutrons hits another nucleus to create fission. Though nuclear reactors cannot become a weapon or a bomb, some of the dangers relate to our lives to the extent that we may need to seek alternatives, as demonstrated by the reactors in Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Nuclear reactors operate on chain reaction, which does not grow due to neutron multiplications of 1. They depend on slow neutrons—in explosion, they are only as powerful as TNT.

Read More
1640 Words | 7 Pages

At least 5 million people were sick or disabled, and 985,000 were left dead. Even today, 4.5 million people have their houses on affected land, and are eating food that has been poisoned by this incident. The damage that nuclear power can do is off the charts, and although it doesn’t pollute the air like fossil fuels do, it can wreak havoc. Right now, 4.5 million people are sitting on radiation, smelling radiation, eating radiation, and living on radiation. Nuclear fission is what caused all the destruction.

Read More
2354 Words | 10 Pages

About 90% of the nuclear material (radiation) was taken into the mushroom clouds that appeared above the targets, rather than contaminating the surface. As a result Hiroshima and Nagasaki recovered and became liveable faster than it would have if the radiation fallout had been higher. Today, Hiroshima and Nagasaki match the world’s average radiation of 0.87 mSv/a, and are habitable with over a million people residing in both

Read More
607 Words | 3 Pages

Nuclear power produces fewer carbon emissions than traditional energy sources because energy is not produced by burning molecules but splitting atoms. ‘An energy mix including nuclear power has the lowest impact on wildlife and Ecosystems’ as shown by a Conservation Biology paper. Consequently, greenhouse gas emissions have reduced by nearly half which shows the benefits and popularity of nuclear power use. Nuclear power has many environmental benefits such as small waste production, leaves no adverse effect on water, land or any habitats. By reducing fossil fuel consumption and switching to Nuclear Energy, we will sustain the environment, quality of air, improving the overall quality of

Read More
792 Words | 4 Pages

In this day and age where energy is one of the greatest factors in world events, it is unsurprising to see nuclear energy, the bridge between fossil fuels and renewable resources, argued for and against so fiercely. Yet under this umbrella term of “nuclear energy” that people enjoy throwing around, there are two wildly different forms of energy. Things that perhaps shouldn’t be lumped together so haphazardly. Those are Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion.

Read More
915 Words | 4 Pages

Richard A. Muller a professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley, expresses his concerns on the subject of nuclear waste. In his essay, Nuclear Waste, he writes about where the United States stores its nuclear waste, alternative ways to dispose of the waste and whether it would be effective. He also talks about how dangerous the nuclear by-product is, and other dangers regarding civilian’s safety. He effectively explains his concerns through pathos, logos, ethos, and other uses of examples to help readers understand his concerns. He attracts readers by talking about the future generation and their safety against potential nuclear waste contamination.

Read More
1282 Words | 6 Pages

More recently developed nuclear weapons prove to not only be more violent than those used during the Dresden attack, but to also be more physically and psychologically destructive. Along with the initial effects of the weapon, which destroys both people and property, deadly radiation from the bomb causes lasting health issues for the survivors, such as leukemia and radiation poisoning (Schull). Furthermore, the evacuation and relocation of those who lost homes and jobs in the area of attack would not only be expensive, but would also have significant negative social repercussions - both of the loss of productivity of the workforce during this time, as well as on the mental health of those forced to abandon their homes and

Read More
166 Words | 1 Pages

“The Nuclear Waste” In the essay “Nuclear Waste” author Richard A. Muller the main point is the danger of nuclear waste and how politics and Scientific are handling the situation. Politicians and scientists are in favor of more research to found out answers because they both share the responsibility for the nuclear waste. There are many discuss nuclear waste whether you are pro-nuke or anti-nuke and how dangerous could be. An interesting fact is that Muller claims that Colorado River water is more dangerous than storing the nuclear waste also that uranium will progressively become less radioactive.

Read More
466 Words | 2 Pages

At night the ruined city gave off a radioactive glow which could be seen for miles” (Bradbury 10). In the quote, it explains the disappearances of the people and the destruction in most houses from the nuclear bomb that occurred in that place. In essence, machinery humans use is a destructive force that left a radioactive glow because it was the nuclear bomb that destroyed many buildings and innocent people which connects to the people who let the bomb loose and didn’t care to save lives, but to destroy it to save themselves. By the same token, the story also

Read More
1790 Words | 8 Pages

Nuclear energy has numerous world benefits that other forms of energy creation just don’t, and its pros are truly unprecedented by any other source of energy. Nuclear power plants are inexpensive to run, which means they can easily be maintained and sustained at a low cost. And while the reactors themselves may be expensive, with government grants the materials can be much more easily purchased and built. The most expensive part of the nuclear reactor process is the uranium, which again, isn’t hard to get as it’s used in few other applications and can be acquired through government programs. Additionally, the energy emitted from these power plants compared to their cost is immense and an extremely worthwhile investment for governments and private businesses.

Read More
3678 Words | 15 Pages

Nuclear energy may be the solution that eliminates our concern for energy production in the future, but it still remains a huge issue for the environment. Despite its wide use in many developed countries, nuclear energy poses many threats to both the

Read More
1617 Words | 7 Pages

1. Thesis Title Nuclear energy: it's efficiency sufficient to justify danger? 2. Thesis Description Thesis statement: Although nuclear energy has been proposed as a solution for our energy requirements it is not reliable because of issues regarding safety, nuclear waste storage. It is possible in a medium-long period of time to replace it with renewable energies.

Read More
944 Words | 4 Pages

One cannot deny that some nuclear waste is produced and that it is radioactive. However, according to the World Nuclear Association in many countries, nuclear waste accounts for just 1% of all toxic wastes. This means that only a small amount of waste is produced and it would be easy to contain. Furthermore, the BBC states that you are able to reprocess nuclear waste and reuse up to 97% of it. This means that waste can be reduced even further and that that supplies of Uranium can be sustained for longer.

Read More

More about Disadvantages Of Nuclear Transmutation

Related Topics

Open Document