Nuclear hazard

effect and remedies

1. WELC0ME OVERVIEW OF SOIL NUCLEAR HAZARDS

2. CAUSES, EFFECT & MANAGEMENT OF SOIL NUCLEAR HAZARDS & INDUSTRIAL WASTES PRESENTATION ON

3. OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION Nuclear Hazard : An Introduction ! Radioactivity(fission & fusion) Types of radioactive wastes Sources of Radiation Industrial wastes Effect of nuclear hazard on soil health & fertility Management/control of nuclear hazard Nuclear hazards : Global Scenario India perspective What we have to do in case of nuclear accidents

4. First man splitted the atom, Now the atoms split the man.

5. Nuclear Hazards :An Introduction Nuclear hazard is reality of our life. The nuclear accident at the Chernobyl reactor in 1986 shocked the world. More than 100,000 people in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia were evacuated from the contaminated area, about 5 million have been exposed. In France, Germany, Poland and other European countries radiation protection measures have been implemented. Fukushima nuclear accident 2011 proved, that to each nuclear reactor attributed nuclear hazard. The public perception of Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents clear demonstrated tremendous inefficient informing of people on radiation hazards corresponded to radionuclide's releases.

6. Nuclear hazard : Definition

7. Radioactivity(fission & fusion) The spontaneous emission of particles and rays by an unstable nucleus is called Radioactivity and such substances are called Radioactive Substances e.g. Radium, Uranium, Thorium. Radioactive pollution can be defined as the release of radioactive substances or high-energy particles into the air water, or earth as a result of human activity, either by accident or by design. Nuclear fusion and nuclear fission are different types of reactions that release energy due to the presence of high-powered atomic bonds between particles found within a nucleus. In fission, an atom is split into two or more smaller, lighter atoms. Fusion, in contrast, occurs when two or more smaller atoms fuse together, creating a larger, heavier atom

8. Nuclear fusion Fusion of deuterium with tritium creating helium-4, freeing a neutron, and releasing 17.59 Me of energy.

9. Nuclear fission The absorption of a neutron by  238 U induces oscillations in the nucleus that deform it until it splits into fragments the way a drop of liquid might break into smaller droplets

10. A typical nuclear power plant

11. Types of radioactive wastes Low level waste: generally generated from hospitals and industry e.g. Paper, rag ,cloths etc. containing small amount of short lived radioactivity. Intermediate level Waste : contains higher amounts of radioactivity and some requires shielding. It comprises resins, chemical sludge's and contaminated materials from reactor decommissioning . Generally short lived waste (mainly from reactors) while long lived waste (from fuel reprocessing). Transuranic Waste : Arises from weapons production, and consists small amounts of radioactive elements ,mostly plutonium. These elements have an atomic number greater than uranium thus transuranic (beyond uranium ).Because of the long half-lives of these elements, this waste is not disposed of as either low level or intermediate level waste.

12. Cond. (d) High level Waste :Arises from the use of uranium fuel in a nuclear reactor and nuclear weapons processing. It contains the fission products and transuranic elements generated in the reactor core. It is highly radioactive and hot. It can be considered the "ash" from "burning" uranium. HLW accounts for over 95% of the total radioactivity produced in the process of nuclear electricity generation.

13. Sources of radiation

14. Penetrating power of different radiations

15. Industrial wastes ~Industries need a wide variety of raw materials and chemicals which are later discharged as effluents. ~Acids, alkalis, toxic metals, pesticides and other poisonous substances such as cyanide, dyes, oils, detergents, resins, rubbers are a few to mention. ~ Heated effluents that impart thermal loading on receiving waters and effluents containing radio active materials are also of prime concern. Fig : Fertilizer industry in USA

16. 1. The excess content of sodium (60%) and boron (2 mg/l) are deleterious to crops. 2. The high sodium alkalinity combined with salinity impairs the growth of plants. 3. Texture of the soil is affected by sodium and penetration of roots is prevented. 4. Soil permeability is also affected by sodium and ultimately the soil will lose its productivity. 5. Suspended and colloidal impurities clog the pores and form a mat on the surface of soil preventing the passage of air, water etc. Effect on soil

17. Effect of nuclear hazard on soil health & fertility Radioactive pollution that is spread through the earth's atmosphere is termed fallout . Such pollution was most common in the two decades following World War II. Three types of fallout result from nuclear detonations : (a.) local (b.) tropospheric (c.) stratospheric • Local fallout is quite intense but short-lived. • Tropospheric fallout is deposited at a later time and covers a larger area, depending on meteorological conditions. • Stratospheric fallout, which release extremely fine particles into the upper atmosphere, may continue for years after an explosion and attain a worldwide distribution .

18. Effect of nuclear hazard on soil health & fertility The effect of radioactive pollution depends on ~ Half –life of radioactive elements ~ Energy releasing capacity ~Rate of diffusion ~Rate of deposition of the contaminant. ~ Various atmospheric and climatic conditions such as wind, temperature, rainfall also determine their effects. The possible general effects of radioactive wastes are categorised into 1) Somatic Effect 2) Genetic Effect 3) Biomagnifications

19. Cond. (1) Somatic effect: Affects somatic cells. It appears within individual and disappears with the death of the individual. ~ Immediate effects : Anaemia, Reduced immune response, Haemorrhage , skin burn, mouth ulcers , CNS Damage ~ Delayed effects : Eye cataract, Leukaemia, Cardiovascular disease, premature ageing ,Reduced life span & fertility. (2) Genetic Effects: The radiation affects the genes of the gamete cells. The changes are not apparent in the individual. The effects are exhibited by offspring and in the subsequent gen. DNA, RNA replication and chromosome. It causes • Mutation • Chromosomal aberration • Chromosomal fragmentation • Inhibition of RNA,DNA synthesis

20. Cond. Nuclear wastes causes soil, water, & air pollutions. In these pollutions, pollution hazards finally enter into the food chain of the living beings who is the final victim of radioactive pollution as he is at the end of all reactions and interactions. Radioactive elements when discharged through sewage system poison the biological purification mechanism of sewage treatment causing several soil and water borne diseases. Solid wastes cause offensive odour and clogging of ground water filters. Suspended matter in sewage can blanket the soil, thereby interfering with the soil moisture.

21. Cond. The problem of radioactive wastes dumped into the soil is more complicated. This is so because every radioactive element like radium, uranium, thorium and plutonium etc. can remain active in soil for thousands of years. Since the radioactive wastes are produced in tremendous quantities and have a high activation energy, they create an extremely difficult public health problem. Radioactive pollutants can produce great human misery. When food containing radionuclide's is taken by man, some of them concentrate in specific body organs where they cause a number of undesirable diseases of digestive tract. Even the thyroid gland is damaged due to accumulation of iodine. Cs-137 is taken by body in place of potassium. Excessive radioactivity also resulted in defoliation of forests adversely affecting flora and fauna.

22. Management/control of nuclear hazard *The objective in managing and disposing of radioactive waste is to protect people and the environment .This means isolating the waste so that the rate or conc. of any radionuclide's returned to the biosphere is harmless. For the more dangerous wastes, the preferred technology to date has been deep and secure burial. Transmutation, long-term retrievable storage, and removal to space have been suggested. • Nuclear devices should never be exploded in air. If these activities are extremely necessary they should be exploded underground. • In nuclear reactions, closed-cycle coolant system with gaseous coolants of very high purity may be used to prevent extraneous activation products.

23. Cond. * Nuclear reactors must be enclosed in broad concrete walls to prevent the radiations that emerge out. * Workers should wear protective garments and glass spectacles should be screened from radiation. * Extreme care should be exercised in the disposal of industrial waste contaminated with radionuclide's. The spend rods are very radioactive containing about 1% U 235 and 1% plutonium. * In nuclear and chemical industries, the use of radio-isotopes may be carried under a set of soil or water instead of power or gaseous forms. * In Nuclear mines, wet drilling may be employed along the underground drainage.

24. Nearly every other country with a nuclear energy program, has determined that Deep Geologic Disposal is the safest system of permanent nuclear waste management. Deep underground disposal Disposal of nuclear waste in USSR

25. Nuclear - fuel - cycle

26. The bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, Japan in 1945, & the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station disaster in April 1986. Within five years the bombing as many as 225,000 people had died & the death tolls to 2,000,00 in Ukraine (soviet) during 1986. Nuclear hazard : Global scenario Source : NASA

27. Source : NASA

28. AEC : Atomic energy commission , main policy body for nuclear energy in India NPCIL :Nuclear power corp. Of India Ltd. Responsible for commissioning & operation of NPP in India Nuclear hazard : Indian perspective Source : NPCIL

29. India’s nuclear power regulating structure NPT : Non-Proliferation Treaty

30. What we have to do in case of nuclear accidents In case of nuclear accidents first evacuate the areas that seems to be in the range of radioactive element. i.e. go to safer place (radiation free zone). Avoid direct contact with the radiations. i.e. Cover all the body parts in order to check the penetration of harmful rays radiating from the element. Store plenty of water around you, it helps you to thrive well. Also helps others to reach at safer places. Follow the govt. Instructions.

31. References NCERT Textbooks ISRO Research papers published on nuclear pollutions. NASA article on nuclear hazards world wide . AEC NPCIL Article by BHABHA Atomic Research Institute on nuclear energy

32. prepared by h . mishra Thank you “success needs sacrifice” Do u have any Questions ?