This article discusses the concerns surrounding nuclear waste and the current methods used to get rid of them.
More and more nations are now taking to nuclear energy as it is a cleaner and more efficient source of energy. But like any other method, there are drawbacks associated with it. One issue is the problem of nuclear waste disposal.
Why is nuclear waste an issue?
Nuclear waste is a cause for concern because it is not bio-degradable, meaning it does not decompose naturally under the affect of the atmosphere. Secondly, it causes a number of health hazards for anyone who comes into contact with the radiation from this waste.
Harmful radioactive emissions can cause skin cancer and genetically alter the DNA of people coming into contact with them, the effects of which will be passed on to the descendants of these victims for many generations to come.
Sources of nuclear waste
Nuclear waste is mainly created by the following sources:
- Spent fuel from nuclear reactors;
- Waste left after reprocessing of spent fuel;
- Waste obtained from dismantling of nuclear weapons; and
- Waste from industrial, medical and other sectors.
Methods used for disposal of nuclear waste
1. Deep ocean disposal: In this method, containers made of borosilicate glass are filled up with nuclear waste. This glass has the capacity to prevent any nuclear radiation from leaking out. The container is enclosed in yet another water-tight metal container and dumped into the ocean.
Though these containers are said to be leak-proof, there is a speculation that a minor quantity of radiation does manage to escape from these containers.
2. Deep geological burial: The containers used in this method are similar to the ones used in the deep ocean disposal system. But in this case, the containers are buried deep underground, in less-populated areas.
This method depends on the natural decaying ability of the radioactive material for its success. The materials are buried deep under the earth for thousands of years and allowed to settle into a safe level of radioactivity.
3. Nuclear waste recycling is a new waste disposal method being looked into, in which the uranium, plutonium and other fission products are separated into different streams using chemical processes. The advantage of doing this is that these products can be re-used or disposed of more easily.
However, the recycling process is not feasible at present because many countries do not have proper facilities to implement this method, and it is also a costly process.
