Nuclear Waste: A Global Challenge and Unignorable Risks

Nuclear Waste: A Global Challenge and Unignorable RisksAccording to statistics from the International Atomic Energy Agency on the types and quantities of nuclear waste around the world and in China, the amount of nuclear waste generated globally each year reaches tens of thousands of tons, with low- and intermediate-level waste accounting for over half. China alone generates about 3,500 tons of nuclear waste annually, with the vast majority coming from nuclear power plants

Nuclear Waste: A Global Challenge and Unignorable Risks

According to statistics from the International Atomic Energy Agency on the types and quantities of nuclear waste around the world and in China, the amount of nuclear waste generated globally each year reaches tens of thousands of tons, with low- and intermediate-level waste accounting for over half. China alone generates about 3,500 tons of nuclear waste annually, with the vast majority coming from nuclear power plants. Nuclear waste refers to radioactive waste produced during nuclear power generation, nuclear weapons manufacturing, or the use of nuclear materials in medical, industrial, and other areas. This waste releases radioactive radiation, which can cause extremely serious health effects on humans, regardless of whether exposure is short-term or long-term. The harm of nuclear waste contamination is not only evident in humans but also poses significant risks to the ecological environment, potentially affecting the entire ecosystem. Studies indicate that it would take millions of years for China's rivers to fully purify the radioactive radiation from this nuclear waste. We need to properly manage this nuclear waste, or the consequences could be unimaginable and potentially unbearable!

Sources and Hazards of Nuclear Waste

The root cause of nuclear waste production can be traced back to humanity's in-depth research into the "atomic nucleus" within an atom. Since the successful development of the atomic bomb in the 1930s, the application of nuclear energy has rapidly expanded into areas like electricity generation and civilian nuclear technology. Soon after, in the 1950s, with the establishment of nuclear power plants, nuclear energy was successfully applied to power generation. Only a few years later, nuclear weapons powers like the United States, France, and Russia accelerated the process of applying nuclear technology in the military industry.

In addition to solid nuclear fuels used for power generation and nuclear weapons materials, nuclear energy is also widely used in medicine, materials production, and other fields. Common applications include nuclear medicine imaging for dynamic observation of lesions and radioactive technology for detecting materials in industry and agriculture. Regardless of whether nuclear energy is used in power generation, military, nuclear medicine, or industrial and agricultural applications, all of these processes produce nuclear waste.

In the 1950s, as commercial nuclear power plants began to operate, nuclear power generation became a specific form of nuclear energy application dedicated to electricity generation. The production of nuclear waste primarily stems from the following aspects:

• Solid waste from nuclear power generation: This waste primarily consists of solid waste formed by radioactive fission products from the single nuclear fuel transported to nuclear power plants after undergoing nuclear reactions.

• Disposable waste generated from the application of nuclear energy in other fields: These wastes are mostly radioactive isotopes.

The harm of nuclear waste mainly lies in its radiation itself. Radioactive nuclides in nuclear waste release various types of radioactive radiation. This radiation can cause severe radiation damage to surrounding matter, potentially even leading to nuclear reactions in matter, releasing more radiation.

The main hazards of nuclear waste to human health are as follows:

1. Cancer risk: Radioactive nuclides in nuclear waste can severely damage cells, leading to cell mutations and triggering cancer. Especially for cancer types directly related to radioactive radiation, such as blood cancer and leukemia, the incidence rate often significantly increases.

2. Hereditary diseases: Radiation from nuclear waste can also damage germ cells, resulting in hereditary diseases. This impact can last for generations, posing serious threats to the health of future generations.

3. Cardiovascular diseases: Studies have found that long-term exposure to radiation from nuclear waste can also increase the incidence of cardiovascular diseases.

The hazards of nuclear waste to the ecological environment are equally severe:

1. Water pollution: High concentrations of radioactive nuclides in nuclear waste will severely pollute water bodies. These pollutants can interact with water molecules in water to form highly stable compounds that persist in water bodies for extended periods, with their concentrations increasing over time.

2. Soil pollution: Radioactive nuclides in nuclear waste pollute soil through water pollution. Once the soil becomes contaminated, plants absorb these pollutants through their root systems, leading to the accumulation of high concentrations of radioactive nuclides in plants, further affecting plant growth and human health.

3. Ecosystem impact: The introduction of radioactive nuclides can severely impact ecosystems, potentially leading to the extinction of certain species.

China's Nuclear Waste Management Measures

Approximately 90% of the nuclear waste generated in China each year comes from nuclear power plants. Nuclear power plants are the main facilities for nuclear power generation in China, employing numerous nuclear technologies, including nuclear reactors, nuclear fuel cycle, and radioactive waste management.

• Nuclear reactors: The core equipment for nuclear power generation, responsible for releasing substantial energy through nuclear fission reactions.

• Nuclear fuel cycle: Refers to a series of chemical processes that separate reusable nuclear fuel and unreusable nuclear waste from nuclear fuel.

• Radioactive waste management: The primary process for managing nuclear waste, including collection, transportation, treatment, and final disposal.

China has implemented various measures in nuclear waste management to minimize the risks of nuclear waste to the environment and human health.

• Source control: Reducing nuclear waste generation at the source of nuclear power generation. China utilizes a new type of nuclear fuel called "mixed oxide fuel" in nuclear power generation. This fuel produces approximately 30% less waste than traditional uranium fuel during operation.

• Nuclear minimalization policy: Aims to ensure that China's nuclear weapons remain at the necessary minimum level, reducing nuclear waste generation. China's nuclear weapons are primarily made of solid nuclear fuel, with the main waste being unreacted nuclear fuel and fission products. According to China's nuclear minimalization policy, the number of nuclear weapons has been reduced to about 200, significantly lowering nuclear waste generation.

• International cooperation: Actively participating in international efforts on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament to promote the reduction of nuclear waste globally. As one of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China consistently supports nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. China has also joined international conventions such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. China closely collaborates with other nuclear powers worldwide to ensure that the number of nuclear weapons is effectively controlled.

• Nuclear waste treatment and disposal: Various measures have been adopted. First, China's nuclear waste treatment involves multiple stages, including physical, chemical, and biological processes. Physical treatment primarily involves mechanical, thermal, and radioactive separation of waste. Chemical treatment mainly involves chemical reactions to convert radioactive components of waste into stable solids. Biological treatment uses biological reactions to decompose organic components in waste.

Multiple Nuclear Waste Treatment Schemes

Regarding nuclear waste treatment methods, no unified international standard exists because the types and quantities of nuclear waste are highly complex. Treatment methods can vary based on the technological level and economic capabilities of different countries. Most countries primarily adopt underground storage, burying nuclear waste deep underground to isolate its hazards. Many countries are also developing recycling methods to minimize the quantity of nuclear waste. Additionally, according to international conventions, deep-sea dumping has been prohibited. Deep-sea dumping refers to directly releasing nuclear waste into the ocean. This method poses severe threats to the marine ecosystem and is therefore opposed by the international community.

Japan's Discharge of Contaminated Water from Fukushima Raises Strong International Opposition

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in Japan resulted in the generation of large quantities of contaminated water. This water contains high levels of radioactive substances, making it challenging to treat. The Japanese government plans to treat this contaminated water and release it into the ocean to reduce contamination on land. However, this plan has met with strong opposition from neighboring countries, who believe that releasing contaminated water into the ocean will have irreversible impacts on the marine environment and pose significant threats to the ecological environment and human health of surrounding countries. Japan's actions have also raised concerns among other countries, fearing that if all countries adopt this method of handling contaminated water, the global marine ecosystem will be polluted. Due to opposition from various countries, Japan has had to postpone the release plan and continue exploring alternative treatment options.

Conclusion

Nuclear waste is a global environmental issue, and all countries should actively participate in addressing this problem. We cannot just dump our garbage on other people's doorsteps, nor can we release our nuclear waste into the world's oceans. Instead, we should seek better treatment solutions and better manage our nuclear waste. The release of contaminated water from Fukushima in Japan has raised concerns for all countries, but it also highlights the seriousness of the nuclear waste problem. Nuclear waste is not something we can discard at will; it is dangerous material that needs to be treated with care and responsibility.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is sourced from the internet. The copyright of the text, images, and other materials belongs to the original author. The platform reprints the materials for the purpose of conveying more information. The content of the article is for reference and learning only, and should not be used for commercial purposes. If it infringes on your legitimate rights and interests, please contact us promptly and we will handle it as soon as possible! We respect copyright and are committed to protecting it. Thank you for sharing.(Email:[email protected])