Abstract This paper examines the problem of nuclearwastes and how it presents a particular dilemma on various fronts including health and security issues. Nuclear energy and technology has become an endemic part of modern society. The paper points out that concomitant with the significant advances in the production of nuclear energy as well as its application to the areas of medicine and defense has been the escalation of the problems of nuclearwastedisposal.
Includes several graphs and tables and diagrams.
1. Introduction
2. Classification of Types of NuclearWaste 3. Sources of NuclearWaste 3.2. Storage of Low Level Waste 3.3 Long-Term Storage of High Level Waste 3.4. The Storage of Plutonium
3.5. Transmutation
4. Conclusion
From the Paper "This debate emphasizes the dilemma and the importance of finding a permanent and less environmentally hazardous solution to the problems of nuclear waster. All of the methods discussed above provide some solutions to the problems - but they do not as yet present a permanent and fully acceptable means of waste disposal and many of the methods have significant drawbacks and are often manpower intensive and open to the vicissitudes of human error. The answer to what to do with nuclear waste has not yet been adequately answered."
Abstract An argumentative paper, exploring the chemical make up of uranium, showing that it is extremely difficult to dispose of this material in a complete way. It looks at current disposal practices in the world and analyzes their pros and cons.
From the Paper "Radioactive material is defined as having atoms with extremely excited outer electron shells. This makes them unstable, excitable and an efficient means of providing energy to a population that can afford a nuclear power plant. The main source of this energy is Uranium. This is a naturally occurring element found in rocks and seawater. It is the most heavy element in the periodic table, having 146 neutrons and 92 protons in its stable form. The instable form has 143 neutrons and this is the kind that is used in cores to create energy (UIC website)."
Tags:disposal, nuclear, radioactive, sun, waste, water
Abstract The paper discusses how nuclear power offers tremendous potential for human development. The paper focuses on the benefits and dangers of nuclear energy and considers the long-term consequences of exclusive reliance on fossil fuels as well as the dangers regarding operational safety, disposal of nuclearwaste and protection from terrorists. The paper concludes that the value of nuclear power outweighs the risks that are manageable through appropriate regulation.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Introduction - Nuclear Energy
The Benefits of Nuclear Energy:
Nuclear Power Plant Safety Concerns
Nuclear Power Plant Safety in the Age of Global Terrorism
Conclusion
From the Paper "Nuclear power is a relatively cheap and abundant sources of usable energy that currently provides approximately one-fifth of all the electric power used in the United States and as much as four-fifths of that used in other countries. The nature of highly radioactive materials has always posed significant safety concerns, but even more so since the onset of global terrorism. While operational safety, responsible disposal of nuclear waste, and protection from terrorists are crucial matters, a comprehensive risk-benefit analysis suggests that the eventual widespread shift to nuclear power is necessary and not associated with greater overall risk of harm than conventional energy sources or production cycles."
Abstract This paper describes the daily operation process of the Miami facility of Cliff Berry Inc., hazardous wastedisposal firm. The paper describes the facility, its wastedisposal processes and also explains the firm's specialization in oil waste treatment and disposal. The paper also describes Cliff Berry's waste water management system and relates the challenges that they face, such as is the development of new technologies, the criticism of the hazardous wastedisposal industry, the threat of new competition and regulatory issues on federal, state and county levels.
Outline:
Introduction
The Facility and Its Operations
Customers
Challenges
Major Regulatory Issues
Plans for the Future
References
From the Paper "The primary sources of waste at the Miami plant of Cliff Berry are the ships that ply the waters around South Florida. The area is home to two major cruise ship hubs at Miami and Fort Lauderdale, as well as two major container ports, the Port of Miami and Port Everglades. Oily bilge water from these ships is processed through this plant. They also service other major area hubs such as Tampa and Cape Canaveral. They work with all the major cruise lines that operate in South Florida."
Abstract The paper looks at how the not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) syndrome affects how sites for wastedisposal facilities are located. The paper then examines particular problems facing landfills and incinerators. The paper shows how current wastedisposal strategies in Canada are ineffective due to undesirable by-products and strong resistance to these facilities. The paper concludes that the most obvious solution to these problems would appear to be to adopt waste diversion programs like the ones being developed in Toronto.
From the Paper "To begin this discussion it is necessary to look at the social phenomena known as NIMBY syndrome. NIMBY stands for Not In My Back Yard(Meredith 480). When discussing NIMBY syndrome in "Assessing Environmental Impacts in Canada" Thomas Meredith states,
"...A society collectively accepts the need for a project, say a landfill site, an airport, or a nuclear power plant, but no one wants it near them" (Meredith 480)."
"In this sense NIMBY syndrome can be seen as a way in which land can be made socially unavailable for facilities like incinerators or landfills. This can be seen as a major contradiction because two totally different social and environmental factors are being expressed at the same time. Everyone knows that these facilities are necessary for society to function and are largely unwilling to live without them. However, they are also unwilling to live near the facilities that they desire. Since these two desires can't both be fulfilled it is necessary to look for other options."
Abstract This is a paper that discusses nuclearwaste. By analyzing what it is, we can see how it is stored, and why it can be a dangerous, but useful source of energy for the world. Also in this paper is a study of certain accidents that have occurred involving nuclearwaste such as the Chernobyl incident that devastated Russia in the last decade. All of these points are revealed in the information that has accumulated on nuclearwaste.
This paper argues against the proposed nuclearwaste repository to be located at the Yucca Mountain, less than one hundred miles from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Abstract This paper explains that the proposal to ship nuclearwaste from across the country by train to a proposed nuclearwaste at a repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, is strongly rejected by not only Nevadans but also the rest of the country. The author points out that the reasons for this rejection is not only the fear of radiation but also for Nevadans economic issues such as the decrease in property values and tourism, the cost of accident cleanup and the problems associated with short- term employment are extremely troublesome. The paper stresses that, although there is plenty of information available stating that there is no threat associated with building a repository at Yucca Mountain and shipping nuclearwaste across the country, the majority of this information comes from the Department of Energy (DOE) and their reputation and motives are suspect.
From the Paper "A possible benefit to Nevada with the building of a nuclear waste repository is the additional jobs that would be available to Nevada residents. This benefit, however, would be small and would not outweigh the economic drawbacks already mentioned. If even one hotel/casino project were not built in Nevada due to negative images or fear associated with the repository, the jobs lost from that business would not be made up by the number of jobs gained by building the repository. Because of direct and indirect employment, if one major hotel/casino was not built in Nevada, the loss could be as many as 14,200 jobs and $500 million annually for the local economy."
Abstract This paper discusses the hazardous effects of inadequate methods of solid wastedisposal on the environment. The paper emphasizes the urgency of the need to deal with this issue, and describes fecal contamination as the major culprit. The writer illustrates how the lack of modern sanitation facilities and adequate health care in certain areas, are the main cause of fecal contamination.
From the Paper "Fecal waste may contain an undetermined number of bacteria, viruses, and parasites capable of causing disease in humans and animals. Studies have focused on numbers of indicator bacteria (total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and fecal streptococci) or enteroviruses in feces and leachates, but have not estimated the total pathogen load or identified the major sources of these pathogens. This may be due to lack of detection methods for many of the pathogens in solid waste or leachate as well as potentially low numbers of viable but non-culturable organisms. Fecal waste is a breeding ground for diseases and even the smallest of contaminations can cause a great deal of problems."
Tags: bacteria, virus, parasites, garbage, recycling, health, hazard, water
Abstract This paperfocuses on the Greater Toronto Area's curren, and historic reliance on land filling. It identifies the problems with landfilling and other aspects of the GTA's wastedisposal plans and proposes alternatives.
Abstract This paper takes a look at a proposal to store nuclearwaste in Yucca Mountain in Nevada. It examines the supposed advantages of such a proposal as well as its disadvantages and points out that, while the residents of Nevada may benefit economically from an arrangement with the federal government to bury nuclearwaste in their state, the benefits would be negligible, especially in comparison to the potential health risks that such a proposal poses.
From the Paper "The power of nuclear reactions was demonstrated in the most conclusive and drastic way possible in 1945, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. But nuclear reactions can be harnessed for peaceful, no-military uses, as well. Namely, nuclear power can be used as a source of energy. One side effect of energy generation by nuclear fission is that waste is produced and this waste is itself radioactive. The storage of the radioactive waste is, therefore, a problem, and one, in fact, with both scientific and political aspects. One state which has been repeatedly mentioned as a place within which radioactive waste could be stored is Nevada. Storing nuclear waste in Nevada has both positive and negative aspects for the state's population. Although Nevada would receive many benefits from storing nuclear waste, in actuality it poses many possible threats to the people living there."
Abstract This paper explains the reasons behind the halt in nuclear power plant construction in the United States. Factors in the decline of nuclear power plants include raising costs, disposal of nuclearwaste, concern for safety, declining public opinion and governmental programs and decisions not favorable to the nuclear power industry. Footnotes.
From the Paper "After a period of rapid growth in the nuclear power industry, resulting in over a hundred nuclear power plants being constructed in the United States alone, in the early 1970's the industry began to slow and even began to decline in the 1980"s, while the rest of the world continued to increase their nuclear industry capacity. In the mid-1970's the Atomic Energy Commission predicated that by the year 2000 there would be more than 1,000 nuclear power plants in the United States.[1] No new nuclear power plants have been ordered in the United States since 1973 and several plants have gone off-line since.[2] Between 1990 and 1995, 20 additional nuclear power plants came online outside of the United States, with an additional 36 under construction. Furthermore, Robert Newman, the President of ABB Combustion Engineering Nuclear Systems, in a October 6, 1996 New York Times article suggested that his company had been approached by the government of China with a plan to build as many as 150 nuclear power plants over the next 40 years.[3] Currently, there are over 437 nuclear power plants operating around the world.[4] Hence, while the rest of the world is increasing their dependence on nuclear power, the question becomes, why is the Untied States making a rapid reversal in its dependence on nuclear power" Several tangible factors have been suggested: the rising costs of construction of a nuclear power plant, the increase in time that it takes to construct a nuclear power plant, the disposal of low grade and high grade nuclear waste, public safety of living near a nuclear power plant, declining public support for nuclear power, and the fear of nuclear power plants contributing to the proliferation of nuclear weapons around the world."
Abstract In this essay the writer discusses that waste and its disposal are acute problems throughout the world. The writer notes that the disposal of waste provides a great environmental problem around the world. The writer looks at the use of recycling as a possible solution to the problem.
From the Paper "Waste disposal presents a big environmental problem that is universal to all nations of the world. Canada is no exception. Ontario for example has to export its waste across the border. There is no single solution to the problem and it is unlikely that our modern, industrialized society will in any near future become waste-free, as waste is an unavoidable consequence of our consumer oriented, highly industrialized society. In 2000, Canadians generated 1021 kg of non-hazardous waste per capita."
Abstract The paper explores the severity of the waste management problem in Ontario, specifically in Toronto. The paper examines what diseases and/or viruses are now emerging as a result of their waste management policies and explores the wastedisposal alternatives available as the issue of waste management becomes more pressing with the passage of time. The paper is of the opinion that the province of Ontario must begin to pressure citizens and private businesses to focus on diversionary plans for waste and they must start providing citizens and businesses with the resources they need to make these diversionary alternatives a success.
From the Paper "The relevance of this topic to our own course work can scarcely be exaggerated. For one thing, our focus on the environment has brought home the reality that we must find an adequate way of disposing of our waste or we as Ontarians will be confronted with the degradation of the ecosystem upon which we depend for food and nourishment. More than that, if human beings in the GTA and elsewhere in Canada's most populous province do not find a means of improving their approach to waste disposal, then the health risks to ordinary citizens - not all of whom are polluters or particularly slothful - will grow ever worse. Not least of all, our fragile groundwater reservoirs (a vital component of the hydrological cycle as our October 2 notes clearly reveal) will continue to face contamination - and the sufferings of this generation because of such a development will be met and exceeded by the sufferings of future generations who will be confronted with the grim specter of contaminated water, as well."
Abstract This paper discusses how the accumulation of waste is an inevitable problem of highly industrialized, consumerist and rich nations, whose economies thrive on producing and creating demand for more products. The paper discusses three methods that are used to deal with waste: landfill, incineration and the 3Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle. The paper explains how all three methods are associated with various environmental and economic costs. The paper points out, however, that the 3Rs method of waste management has the greatest potential for growth and improvement.
From the Paper "Waste is a non-avoidable result of high-technology industrialized economies. We live in a consumerist society that encourages us to shop and acquire more things. Hence more things are produced and more waste is generated. In 2000, Canadians generated 1021 kg of non-hazardous waste per capita (Statistics Canada, 2002). 747kg of this waste were disposed of per capita (Statistics Canada, 2002), while the rest was recycled. "Current waste management practices in Canada emphasize techniques and approaches that avoid or minimize the need for waste disposal" (MacLaren, 371). There are three methods used to deal with waste: landfill, incineration and the 3Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle."
Abstract This paper examines how nuclear power is one of the most divisive issues in America today and how opponents of nuclear power have succeeded in convincing people to oppose the construction of new plants and to fight the relicensing of old plants. It puts forth some of the arguments from both sides to support their positions and looks at issues such as the question of safety and need for nuclear power plants and the of storing nuclearwaste. It analyzes how proponents of nuclear power present convincing arguments for the continued and expanded uses of nuclear power in this country and how they claim that the objections raised by opponents lack validity and are contrary to the facts and our experience.
From the Paper "The opponents of nuclear power focus on the inherent lack of safety that they believe that the use of nuclear power entails. This includes both the dangers of radiation from nuclear power plants and the possibility of a catastrophic accident. First, the opponents say that radiation levels are higher in areas around nuclear power plants, and this leads to an increased number of deaths from cancer. They cite the case of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Massachusetts that went online in 1988. Responding to the concerns of local residents, the state conducted a study which found that there were fifty percent more cancer cases in the five towns around the plant than there were in the rest of the state. The power company had said that people in the area would receive 400 times less radiation from the plant than they would from natural sources. Further studies showed that the risk of getting cancer was four times higher for people living within ten miles of the plant than for other parts of the state. "
