7.12 - Nuclear Fission
Benefits and risks of nuclear power
| Benefits | Risks and drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Reliable, generating large amounts of energy from very small amounts of fuel. | Produces radioactive waste with long half-lives, staying dangerous for thousands of years. |
| Releases no greenhouse gases during operation, so it doesn't contribute directly to global warming. | High overall cost to build plants and safely decommission them. |
| Low fuel costs compared to fossil fuels. | Risk of major accidents or radiation leaks. |
Disposing of radioactive waste
- High-level radioactive waste is sealed in steel canisters or vitrified (set into glass) and stored deep underground.
- Stored waste poses a long-term risk if containers leak over time or are damaged by geological activity, contaminating groundwater and soil.