Nuclear Waste Management

Nuclear Waste Management features at the top of the priority list of scientists dealing with radioactive materials and involved in nuclear power plants. The material used in these industries need to be disposed off well to prevent it from diffusing into the atmosphere. The radioactive materials used to generate nuclear energy leaves behind a harmful residue which when released in the atmosphere from the nuclear reactors may cause severe damage to the various life forms. However, the demand and usage of nuclear energy in the present context cannot be ignored. A minimal amount of radioactive material can generate large amount of nuclear energy that can be utilized for a number of purposes.

Nuclear energy has gained precedence over other optional modes of deriving energy. Earlier energy was derived by the combustion of fossil fuels like coal. But not only did it reduce the amount of this non renewable source of energy but also emitted about 10 billion tonnes of harmful carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This casts an adverse effect in a way that it increases the rate of global warming by heightening the green house effect in the atmosphere.

Radioactive elements can be produced in a nuclear reactor as well as found in the natural surroundings. These elements are present in very small quantities and are therefore not potentially risky. Some of these elements like radium, thorium, radon and uranium are present in soil.

Radioactivity is caused by the decay of the radioactive isotopes. The isotopes emit different kinds of radiation namely alpha, beta and gamma rays. The radioactive residue comprises of different elements. They are divided into various categories depending upon the degree to which they prove to be harmful to the environment. These include Low level waste, intermediate level waste and high level waste.

The low level nuclear wastes are discharged from the materials used in laboratories, hospitals and industries. They are potentially less dangerous and they are disposed of by burying it in shallow pits. The intermediate level nuclear wastes are found in the materials used in nuclear reactors and in chemical sludge. It requires careful handling, transportation and disposal and therefore buried below the ground. High level nuclear wastes on the other hand are discharged from nuclear reactors. Extreme caution is to be exercised during their transportation and disposal. It is highly dangerous and therefore its exposure to living beings and the environment is prohibited. The disposal or management of nuclear wastes of this category has to be done carefully. The waste is put into borosilicate or Pyrex glass and then placed in steel containers before being buried.

Scientists have carefully devised various principles to ensure the safe disposal of radioactive materials. These include the processes of radio active materials toned down and the released into the environment. The other process involves the materials been condensed and then controlled. The third process is that of delay and decay. It works on the principle that radioactive materials lose their intensity with time. Nuclear wastes are disposed off initially by the processes of Ion exchange, vitrification and Synroc. The long term disposal of wastes include transmutation, geological disposal and space disposal

Nuclear waste management is an absolute necessity as leak from nuclear reactors can wreck havoc and cause vast damage to life and environment.