1. Nuclear Energy and the Environment
Chapter 20
Nuclear Energy and the Environment

2. Nuclear Energy Nuclear Energy Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion
The energy of the atomic nucleus
Nuclear Fission
The splitting of the atomic nuclei
Nuclear Fusion
The fusing of atomic nuclei
Nuclear Reactors
Devises that produce controlled nuclear fission

3. Fission Reactors As fission occurs, energy is released.
Major components of a fission reactor:
Core, control rods, coolant, reactor vessel
Burner Reactors: a type of nuclear reactor that consumes more fissionable material than it produces
Meltdown: a nuclear accident in which the nuclear fuel forms a molten mass that breaches the containment of the reactor, contaminating the outside environment with radioactivity.

7. Sustainability and Nuclear Power
Nuclear Radiation occurs when when a radioisotope spontaneously undergoes radioactive decay and changes into another isotope
3 types of nuclear radiation: Alpha, Beta, Gamma
Breeder Reactor:
a type of nuclear reactor that utilizes between 40-70% of its nuclear fuel and converts fertile nuclei to fissile nuclei faster than the rate of fission
Produces nuclear fuels

11. Nuclear Energy and the Environment
Nuclear Fuel Cycle:
the process involved in producing nuclear power from the mining and processing of uranium to controlled fission, the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, the decommissioning of power plants and the disposal of radioactive waste
Each part of the cycle is associated with different potential environmental problems

13. Effects of Radioisotopes
Radioisotope: an isotope of a chemical element that spontaneously undergoes radioactive decay
Effect Environment in 2 Ways
Emitting radiation
Entering ecological food chains

16. Nuclear Power Plant Accidents
Three Mile Island
Chernobyl

17. Radioactive Waste Management
Low-Level Radioactive Waste
Waste materials that contain sufficiently low concentrations or quantities of radioactivity so as not to present a significant environment hazard if properly handled
Transuranic Waste
Radioactive waste consisting of human-made radioactive elements heavier than uranium
Contaminated clothing rags, tools, etc.
High-Level Radioactive Waste
Extremely toxic nuclear waste, such as spent fuel elements from commercial reactors.
How do we dispose of this waste material?