THE nuclear energy is generated from the nuclear fission (splitting the atom) of radioactive substances, such as uranium and thorium, in nuclear power plants. Nuclear fission performed in the core of a reactor produces a lot of energy, which heats the water used to cool it. The water vapor generated from this heating causes the plant's turbines to rotate, thus producing a large amount of energy.
Although nuclear energy production costs are still high, its productivity is much higher compared to other forms of energy generation. An example of this is the comparison between nuclear energy and energy generated from mineral coal. Uranium-235 is estimated to produce 80,000 times more energy than coal2.
Another benefit of nuclear energy refers to the lesser impact of its form of energy production. Its production process does not generate polluting gases, as happens with thermoelectric plants, and does not compromise the availability and quality of fresh drinking water in the country, as it uses sea water in its process productive.
Because of its advantages, nuclear energy was considered the energy of the future. Thus, several countries began to invest heavily in research and in the construction of increasingly modern and efficient plants. The France3, for example, is the most nuclear-dependent country in the world. About 76.9% of all its energy production comes from nuclear power plants.
Contrary to the worldwide trend of expansion of the generation of this type of energy, Brazil, despite having two nuclear power plants in operation (Angra I and Angra II) and one under construction (Angra III), has its energy production based essentially on hydroelectric, thermoelectric and fuel extraction fossils. Thus, the Brazilian nuclear energy production2 represents only 2.9 of the total produced in the country.
Although it has many advantages and countries interested in nuclear energy generation, its production presents several risks to the environment and living beings, as it is based on the handling of radioactive products that are very harmful to life and environment. Among the main environmental impacts that can be caused by the generation of this type of energy, the following stand out:
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O seawater heating: During the nuclear energy production process, seawater is used to cool the reactor and move the turbines. This water is returned to the environment warmer than when it was found, which can cause damage to marine fauna and flora.
Contamination by tailings from nuclear energy production: One of the main impacts caused by this type of production is contamination by radioactive waste, which remains harmful to the environment for thousands of years. Every nuclear fission generates radioactive waste, which must be stored in lead-lined or concrete containers and constantly monitored to avoid contamination of the environment. In the recent past, because they did not know how to proceed with the disposal of this material, some countries even played this material in the sea or leaving radioactive waste in mines or caves, causing a major imbalance in ecosystems affected.
Risk of contamination from accidents and leaks: Although it has constant monitoring, the nuclear energy generation process has risks of leaks and accidents, such as those that happened in Chernobyl (1986) and Fukushima (2011), which put the environment and the lives of workers in the plants and other living beings that receive the radiation at risk.
Faced with these risks, the production of nuclear energy requires great control to avoid any kind leakage or accident involving radioactive products, as radioactive contamination can cause:
Scarcity of adequate soil, air and water for agriculture and for the maintenance of life in the affected area;
Genetic mutation of plant, insect and animal species;
Burns;
Changes in blood production;
Decreased immune resistance;
Emergence of various diseases, such as cancer, gastrointestinal disorders, bone marrow problems;
Infertility and malformation of reproductive organs and fetuses subjected to high radiation.
GRADES:
1Image Credit Shutterstock.com and Lulia Timofeeva
2 According to LUCCI, Elian Alabi; BRANCO, Anselmo Lazaro; MENDONÇA, Claudio. Territory and Society in the Globalized World: General and Brazilian Geography. São Paulo: Saraiva, 2014.
3 According to the Word Nuclear Association.
By Thamires Olimpia
Graduated in Geography
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SILVA, Thamires Olimpia. "Major risks of nuclear power generation for the environment"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/principais-riscos-geracao-energia-nuclear-para-meio-ambiente.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
