NUCLEAR ENERGY

WHAT IS NUCLEAR ENERGY?

• Uranium atoms are split
• Fission generates heat
• Heat produces steam
• Steam is used by turbines
• Electricity is created

PROS

• Low emissions of greenhouse gases
• Low operating costs
• Known technology ready for market
• Large power-generating capacity
• Nuclear waste recycling/reprocessing

CONS

• High construction costs
• High subsidies and loan guarantees needed
• Subsidies and investment could be spent on renewable energy
• High-known risks in accident
• Unknown risks

...

• Long term construction time
• Target for terrorism
• Waivers are required to limit liability of companies in case of accident
• Require large infrastructures, investment and coordination
• Uranium sources are finite, expensive and polluting

...

• Most uranium is unreachable
• Legacy of environmental contamination
• Health costs for miners
• Waste lasts 200-500 thousand years
• No improved 'next generation' reactors

...

• No operating waste storage sites (US)
• Large water basin in danger of contamination by Yucca Mountain (US)
• Difficult to impose waste storage, not wanted (US)
• Shipping nuclear waste internationally might incite terrorism

CASE STUDY

ABOUT

• 26.th of April 1986
• Meltdown of the block 4
• 500 000 workers fought unprotected
• 30 fireman died
• Radioactive particles in clouds

WHAT HAPPENED?

• System's test lead to a series of explosions
• Graphite moderator ignited
• Resulting fire was highly radioactive
• The contaminated clouds went as far as Sweden
• Area highly radioactive

MEASURES

• The city was evacuated two days after
• People left their homes never to return
• Area was sealed
• Visitors have restricted areas and schedules
• Despite the radiation there is a rich wildlife

cONSEQUENCES

• Lethal cancer affected many inhabitants
• Malformations of babies
• Chernobyl will be isolated
• Radioactive particles in surface and groundwater
• Fauna and flora were affected

GHOST CITY

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MALFORMATIONS CAUSED BY RADIATION

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EMILIA SALMINEN & MARIA BRITO