Radioactive Nuclear Waste

Abstract

Radioactive nuclear waste includes a large number of radioactive elements. Behavior of these elements is unstable and unpredictable because the elements can change form and properties during their decay process. In order to control this type of waste effectively, the interaction mechanism(s) between radioactivity and the environment must be understood, especially with the soil-rock-water system. In this paper three major types of radioactive elements—namely uranium, radium, and radon gas—are discussed because they are closely related to environmental geotechnology. It focuses on the spent-fuel assemblies produced from nuclear power plants and random gas seeping from ground soil. Several new interaction mechanisms between nuclear elements and the environment are proposed and explained. Remedial action on waste controlling techniques are suggested and discussed.