FINAL PROJECT

NUCLEAR ENERGY AND SAFETY

Intro to environmental science

Chandler Lazear

INTERDISCIPLINARY LENS
CREATION OF POWER PLANTS
Architects
Design layout and structures of plant

Engineers
Design of reactor and control equipment

Geologists
Survey the land

Nuclear Physicists
Research nuclear fission

INTERDISCIPLINARY LENS
MAINTENANCE OF PLANTS
Nuclear technicians
Conducting reactor operations

Laborers
Transporting equipment and wastes

Managers
Oversee plant activities

INTERDISCIPLINARY LENS
REGULATION OF PLANTS
Politicians
Creation of regulatory agency and policy

Biologists
Examine environment for ill effects

Nuclear physicists
Examine for radiation exposure

UNDERLYING SCIENCE
NUCLEAR FISSION
Neutron propelled at

235U

atom

Causes atom to split

Propels more neutrons
Collides with more

235U

Starts chain reaction

atoms

UNDERLYING SCIENCE
RADIATION
Uranium emits radiation as it decays

Radiation can strip atoms of electrons

Capable of damaging human tissue
Destroys DNA, causing mutations
Most common effect is cancer

Severe exposure can kill

UNDERLYING SCIENCE
NUCLEAR WASTE
Emits radiation for thousands of years

Primarily alpha and gamma radiation

Alpha is blocked by paper
Gamma can be blocked by lead
Waste can be stored safely

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Q&A

TEACHING AND LEARNING

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TEACHING AND LEARNING

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TEACHING AND LEARNING

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TEACHING AND LEARNING

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TEACHING AND LEARNING

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TEACHING AND LEARNING

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TEACHING AND LEARNING

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TEACHING AND LEARNING

Q&A

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Q&A

TEACHING AND LEARNING

Q&A

TEACHING AND LEARNING

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TEACHING AND LEARNING

Q&A

WORKS CITED
"Chernobyl Accident 1986. World-nuclear World Nuclear Association. 1 Nov. 2014. Web. 10 Sept. 2014.
http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Safety-and-Security/Safety-of-Plants/Chernobyl-Accident
"Fukushima Accident. World-nuclear World Nuclear Association. 1 Nov. 2014. Web. 10 Sept. 2014.
http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Safety-and-Security/Safety-of-Plants/Fukushima-Accident
"Radiation Protection." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 7 Aug. 2012. Web. 10 Sept. 2014.
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/understand/health_effects.html
"Birth Defects among the Children of Atomic-bomb Survivors (1948-1954)." RERF. Radiation Effects Research
Foundation. Web. 17 Sept. 2014. http://www.rerf.jp/radefx/genetics_e/birthdef.html
"DU behind the Surge in Cancer Rates in Iraq." Global Research. 12 Nov. 2007. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/du-behind-the-surge-in-cancer-rates-in-iraq/3877

WORKS CITED
Wang, Qiang, Xi Chen, and Xu Yi-Chong. "Accident like the Fukushima Unlikely in a Country with Effective Nuclear
Regulation: Literature Review and Proposed Guidelines." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
(2012): 126-46. USF Libraries. Web. 8 Oct. 2014. <http://www.lib.usf.edu.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/>.
Gu, Meiying, Zhidong Zhang, Wei Wang, Qiyong Tang, Suqing Song, Jing Xhu, Yuqing Xie, and Lijuan Zhang. "The
Effects of Radiation Pollution on the Population Diversities and Metabolic Characteristics of Soil
Microorganisms." (2014): 1-8. USF Libraries. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.
<http://www.lib.usf.edu.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/>.
Rachkov, V.I., S.G. Kalyakin, O.F. Kukharchuk, Yu. I. Orlov, and A. P. Sorokin. "From the First Nuclear Power Plant
to Fourth Generation Nuclear Power Installations [on the 60th Anniversary of the Worlds First Nuclear Power
Plant]." Therman Engineering 61.5 (2014): 327-36. USF Libraries. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.lib.usf.edu.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/>.

WORKS CITED
Carter, Luther J., Lake H. Barrett, and Kenneth C. Rogers. "Nuclear Waste Disposal Showdown At Yucca Mountain:
The Administration's Decision To Withdraw The Application For A Nuclear Waste Repository At Yucca
Mountain, Nevada, Lacks Scientific Justification And Could Hamper The Nation's Effort To Use Nuclear
Energy To Reduce Emissions Of Greenhouse Gases." Issues In Science And Technology 1 (2010):
80. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 12 Nov. 2014. USF Libraries. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.lib.usf.edu.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/>.
Brennan, Scott R., and Jay Withgott. Environment: The Science behind the Stories. 5th ed. San Francisco:
Pearson/Benjamin Cummings, 2005. Print.

WORKS CITED - IMAGES

http://world-nuclear.org/Nuclear-Basics/How-does-a-nuclear-reactor-make-electricity-/
http://world-nuclear.org/info/Safety-and-Security/Safety-of-Plants/Chernobyl-Accident/
http://world-nuclear.org/info/Current-and-Future-Generation/Nuclear-Power-in-the-World-Today/
http://world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-T-Z/USA--Nuclear-Power/
http://world-nuclear.org/info/Safety-and-Security/Radiation-and-Health/Radiation-and-Life/
http://world-nuclear.org/info/Safety-and-Security/Safety-of-Plants/Safety-of-Nuclear-Power-Reactors/
http://www.cleanenergyinsight.org/interesting/info-the-cost-of-energy/
http://www.cleanenergyinsight.org/energy-insights/check-out-our-debate-tools/
http://www.cleanenergyinsight.org/interesting/wednesday-fact-series-greenhouse-emissions/