annotated bibliography issues paper

8/10/2019 Annotated Bibliography Issues Paper

1/5

Josh Quinton

Writing 150

Amanda Shrum

November 14, 2014

Annotated Bibliography

Bjrkbacka, sa, Saman Hosseinpour, Magnus Johnson, Christofer Leygraf, and Mats Jonsson.

"Radiation Induced Corrosion of Copper for Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage."Radiation Physics

and Chemistry92 (2013): 80-86. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.

Disposal of nuclear byproducts requires research looking in to what methods and materials

can effectively shield the environment from deadly radioactive elements. In the wake of a

recent disaster in Carlsbad, New Mexico resulting from failed storage of plutonium and

americium in underground tunnels, renewed interest has emerged surrounding the risks of

producing large quantities of radioactive elements for long periods of time (as long as 24,000

years for some materials). This article discusses the potential for copper containment vessels

to be damaged by the radiation they contain and cause a potential disaster.

Chen, K.c., K. Ting, Y.c. Li, Y.y. Chen, W.k. Cheng, W.c. Chen, and C.t. Liu. "A Study of the

Probabilistic Risk Assessment to the Dry Storage System of Spent Nuclear Fuel."

International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping87.1 (2010): 17-25. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.

This article uses mathematical risk assessment techniques to examine the risks of storing

depleted nuclear fuel at the site where it is used. Notably, these same techniques were used at

the Fukushima-Daichi plant in Japan before its destruction in 2011, adding complications to

the ensuing disaster. This is a good example of a nuclear storage technique that may have

severe consequences.

Johnson, Jeff. "No More Yucca Mountain." CEN RSS. American Chemical Society, 13 Feb. 2012.

Web. 8 Nov. 2014.


2/5

The Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository was supposed to be a permanent solution to

radioactive disposal in the United States, but the Obama administration has recently cancelled

its construction citing economic concerns. I will discuss what the long term effects of this

decision might be and what prospects there are for permanent storage of

Marshall, E. "The Geopolitics of Nuclear Waste." Science251.4996 (1991): 864-67. Web. 8 Nov.

2014.

This article discusses the various approaches that countries have used to manage the disposal

of depleted nuclear resources. This decision of President Obama and the United States with

respect to nuclear waste disposal will inevitably be very influential on the decisions made by

other countries. Most countries are responsible for disposing of their own nuclear wastes, and

those who do not conform to international standards are often subject to sanctions.

"Nuclear Road Truckers: For Ten Years the US Department of Energy Has Been Transporting

Weapons-related Transuranic (TRU) Waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near

Carlsbad, New Mexico. To Date over 8,000 Shipments Have Been Delivered without a

Serious Injury or Release of Radioactive Material."Nuclear Engineering InternationalDec.

2009: 33. Global Reference on the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources. Web. 13

Nov. 2014.

This article looks in to the logistics of transporting extremely dangerous nuclear materials to

the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico. Often these trips are made with trucks

containing large drums, and politicians have expressed concern for this method of transport.

This is relevant because the plant they transport to has recently faced a disaster which will

render it entirely unusable.

Perrin, Francis, Walter A. Rosenblith, and Arne Tiselius. "Physical Sciences and Engineering."

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences184.1 Environment a (1971): 177-79. Web. 8

Nov. 2014.


3/5

This article emphasises the point that the waste product produced by nuclear plants is smaller

and easier to contain than that from fossil fuel plants. Radioactive contamination of the

environment is nonexistent when the plant is in normal operation, and, when safety

procedures are followed rigorously, accidents are very unlikely to happen. This is relevant to

the argument that nuclear waste products nullify the benefits of nuclear power.

Schaffer, Marvin Baker. "Toward a Viable Nuclear Waste Disposal Program."Energy Policy39.3

(2011): 1382-388. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.

This article discusses steps that can be taken to work towards safer and more responsible

nuclear waste disposal. This article is condemning of temporary on-site storage of wastes at

nuclear plants and promotes the establishment of permanent storage solutions, such as the

Yucca Mountain plant and the WIPP facility in New Mexico.

Schiermeier, Quirin. "Nuclear Energy: Defying Disaster."Nature472.7344 (2011): 505. Web. 8

Nov. 2014.

This article emphasises the inevitable risks of using nuclear fission to extract nuclear energy

from heavy radioactive elements. The international safety policies in place are very strict, but,

as shown by the disaster at the WIPP facility, even highly complaint governments and plants

are vulnerable to unpredictable complications.

"What Happened at WIPP in February 2014." Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. US Department of

Energy, 30 Sept. 2014. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.

This is a federal accident report of a disaster which recently occurred at the Waste Isolation

Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The disaster occurred as a result of improper

containment of just one drum of radioactive materials. A chemical reaction occurred within

the drum causing it to burst and compromising the entire facility. This event demonstrates the

risk of storing nuclear waste products even if it is a long term solution.


4/5

Zalyubovskii, I. I., S. A. Pismenetskii, V. G. Rudychev, S. P. Klimov, A. E. Luchnaya, and E. V.

Rudychev. "External Radiation of a Container Used for Dry Storage of Spent VVER-1000

Nuclear Fuel from the Zaporozhie Nuclear Power Plant."Atomic Energy109.6 (2011):

396-403. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.

Even when depleted nuclear fuel is contained for disposal, the exterior of the containers is

likely to emit elevated amounts of radiation. This study examines the potential magnitude of

these emissions and whether they may be unsuitable for close human contact. I will discuss

the necessity for human contact with nuclear waste product for transport and permanent

disposal.


5/5

Additional Sources (to be cited):

http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Facts-and-Figures/World-Nuclear-Power-Reactors-and-

Uranium-Requirements/

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/fy2010_new_era/

A_New_Era_of_Responsibility2.pdf
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/fy2010_new_era/A_New_Era_of_Responsibility2.pdfhttp://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Facts-and-Figures/World-Nuclear-Power-Reactors-and-Uranium-Requirements/

annotated bibliography issues paper

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