Written by: Sakshyam Karna - 26013, Grade X
Posted on: 19 July, 2023
In today’s world carbon emissions are breaking new records every year, the temperature is rising faster than ever and droughts and floods are longer and more frequent than they have ever been. But all this can be prevented through the alternative or renewable sources of energy which extracts a lesser toll on the environment. One of these alternative sources of energy is nuclear energy.
Nuclear energy is a highly efficient and powerful source of electricity generation. It harnesses the energy released from splitting atoms in a process called nuclear fission. This process produces big amounts of energy without emitting any greenhouse gasses, making it a better and cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. However the concerns about safety, waste management, and the potential for nuclear weapons being made by countries like North Korea makes this a very debatable topic. Despite these challenges, nuclear energy continues to be a significant part of the global energy mix, providing reliable and low carbon electricity.
The concerns about this energy got higher when an incident with the malfunction and the explosion of one of the worlds biggest power plants happened in Ukraine. The explosion that will show effects for hundreds of millions years. The Chernobil nuclear plant disaster. It occured on April 26, 1986 in Pripyat, Ukraine which was then situated in the Soviet Union.
The Chernobyl disaster was the result of a combination of design flaws, human errors, and a flawed safety culture within the Soviet Union. During a routine safety test at Reactor 4 of the power plant, an unstable and uncontrollable power surge led to a catastrophic explosion. The reactor's graphite tipped control rods, instead of slowing down the reaction, facilitated an exponential increase in power output. The explosion blew off the reactor's roof and ejected radioactive debris into the atmosphere.
Immediately after the explosion, a plume of radioactive particles spread across the surrounding areas, contaminating vast regions of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia, and even reaching other parts of Europe. The Soviet government initially downplayed the severity of the accident, delaying evacuations and public information about the risks involved. This lack of transparency led to further health consequences for the affected population.
Two plant workers died immediately from the explosion, and many more suffered acute radiation sickness. However, the full extent of the disaster's impact would only become apparent in the years that followed. The long lived radioactive isotopes released during the explosion, such as iodine 131, cesium 137, and strontium 90, contaminated the soil, water, and vegetation in the surrounding areas, posing long term health risks to the local population.
In the aftermath of the explosion, the immediate area surrounding the power plant was declared an exclusion zone, restricting human habitation. The city of Pripyat, which housed the plant workers and their families, was evacuated, leaving behind a ghost town frozen in time. The exclusion zone remains in effect to this day, although controlled access is now permitted for limited purposes, such as research and tourism.
The Chernobyl disaster had far reaching environmental and health consequences. The contamination of agricultural lands and water sources affected the livelihoods of local communities, who relied heavily on farming and forestry. The high levels of radiation exposure led to an increase in cases of thyroid cancer, particularly among children, due to the ingestion of contaminated milk.
Efforts to mitigate the impact of the disaster included the construction of a sarcophagus, known as the Chernobyl Shelter, to enclose the damaged reactor and prevent further releases of radioactive material. In 2016, a new structure, called the New Safe Confinement, was completed and slid into place over the old sarcophagus, providing enhanced protection and stability.
The Chernobyl disaster also had significant social and political implications. It exposed the inherent dangers of nuclear energy and led to a reassessment of nuclear safety practices worldwide. The event highlighted the importance of transparency, independent oversight, and international cooperation in the development and operation of nuclear power plants. It spurred changes in safety regulations and standards, as well as improvements in emergency preparedness and response.
The legacy of Chernobyl continues to be felt today. The long term effects of radiation exposure are still being studied, and the impacted regions continue to face environmental and health challenges. The disaster served as a wake up call, reminding the world of the potential risks associated with nuclear energy and emphasizing the need for stringent safety measures, thorough risk assessments, and effective emergency response protocols.
While nuclear energy remains a significant part of the global energy mix, the lessons learned from Chernobyl have contributed to the development of safer reactor designs, improved safety practices, and better management of nuclear waste. The disaster serves as a constant reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety and the responsibility of governments and operators to ensure the well being of both the public and the environment in the pursuit of nuclear energy.
References:
- https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/chernobyl-accident.aspx
