KAMLA NEHRU COLLEGE

 

MBA-MCA SESSION 2011  

DETAILS OF NUCLEAR POLLUTION   

UNDER GUIDENCE OF :-VAIBHAV SIR

      

Definition of nuclear pollution

RADIOACTIVE WASTE IS A WASTE PRODUCT CONTAINING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL. IT IS USUALLY THE PRODUCT OF A NUCLEAR PROCESS SUCH AS NUCLEAR FISSION THOUGH INDUSTRIES NOT DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY MAY ALSO PRODUCE QUANTITIES OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE.

Environmental pollution of nuclear power plant

It was commonly to think that nuclear energy is absolutely safe until some serious incidents occurred on nuclear power plants of the USA(Three Mile Island), Japan(Kashiwaszki-Kariwa) and the most dangerous incident in the former USSR (Chernobyl). The last of them had very serious consequences. All these events changed the opinion of people about the safety of nuclear energy. However the danger of nuclear energy was not only in the nuclear accidents.

CAUSES

• Emission of uranium & Tritium

• Fusion of radioactive elements

• Fossil Fuels mining

• Transportation Petroleum

• Electricity Generation

• Industrial Energy

EFFECTS

• Release of radioactive particles into environment

• Radioactive isotopes pollution

• Water temperature increases

• The threat of nuclear accidents

• The threat of nuclear terrorism

Release of radioactive particles into environment

Radioactive isotopes pollution

Water temperature increases

The threat of nuclear accidents

The threat of nuclear terrorism

EFFECTS

Release of radioactive particles Usually the radioactive particles

appear from radioactive isotopes and in fission process. In most cases speaking about radioactive particles pollution, people mean gamma-radiation, which is easily determinated by a Geiger counter. At the same time there are many beta-radiators, which are badly determinated by the most of existing devices.

Radioactive isotopes pollution Radioactive contamination is typically the

result of a spill or accident during the production or use of radionuclides (radioisotopes), an unstable nucleus which has excessive energy. However the production of those radionuclides is controlled by filters and other equipment. The biological effects of internally deposited radionuclides depend greatly on the activity and the biodistribution and removal rates of the radionuclide, which in turn depends on its chemical form.

Water temperature increase For the NPPs just as for the thermal

power stations heat release into is typical.

It is marked that the temperature of water in the area of nuclear power station is higher than without it. Because of that the balance of water evaporation is disturbed and the amount of salt in water increased. This changes can lead to extinction of some species of animals.

The treat of nuclear accidents

The most actual question appealed to NPP is the question of nuclear accidents. Thought the chances of such accident is very small the danger it carries is very serious.

Nuclear terrorism threat

Another actual question of the NPP’s safety is nuclear terrorism.

The NPP could be captured by terrorists and used like a nuclear weapon.

Major incidents regarding NPPs

Chernobyl Three Mile Island Kashiwazaki-Kariwa

Reactors used •A high-power, boiling water type reactor (RBMK)

•TMI-2 reactor •BWR

The main causes of the accident

•The operators violated plant procedures and were ignorant of the safety requirements needed by the RBMK design.

•The sequence of certain events - - equipment malfunctions, design related problems and worker errors.

•Earthquake

consequences •The Ukrainian Ministry of Public Health in April 1995 said 125,000 already dead.•Economically, the consequences have been staggering: at least $300 Billion and more.

•None people died. There were no environment pollution

•None died. No environmental pollution.

Chernobyl Three Mile Island Kashiwazaki-Kariwa

Pictures

LATEST NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS

Could it happen again?

Yes, the causes of such disasters are well understood but there’s no certitude that government and NPP’s personnel will follow them. First of all some countries couldn’t have enough money to develop and integrate newest technologies into NPPs. Secondly the chance of human mistakes is always exists. So there always will be chance of accident like the ones we examined.

THANK YOU