Nuclear Waste Essay -- Ocean Dumping Environmental Essays

Nuclear WasteIntroductionThe Earths oceanics cover approximately three-fourths of the worlds surface. Less than one century ago, it would have been difficult to imagine that earthly concern could significantly pollute these vast bodies of water. For as long as there have been human inhabitants along the coast, people have been utilizing the ocean as a dumping ground for garbage and other rubbish. Although several view the ocean as endless and thus, having plenty of room for the waste this belief is not true. The ocean can not accommodate dumpings without being permanently reviled. Furthermore, the immense technological revolution of the last century has increased societys ability to cause greater damage to the worlds oceans. Nuclear IndustryThe development of nuclear industry has been a cornerstone for the worlds technological revolution. Since the discovery of fission more than a half century ago, nuclear forefinger has become a major source of the worlds electricity supply. By 1989, 416 nuclear power plants were in operation, thus providing approximately seventeen percent of the worlds electricity (Waczewski, 1997). With more than one hundred nuclear operating plants, the United States easily gains the title as having the worlds largest nuclear energy program. Radioactive WasteHowever, utilizing nuclear power has several implications. One of the most severe is that nuclear technology produces a great amount of toxic waste that remains radioactive for thousands of years. Thus, the waste moldiness be disposed of in a safe manner so to avoid the contamination of future generations. marine cast away RegulationThe governments Ocean Dumping Regulation of 1989 severely limits what can be disposed of in the oceans. The... ...her damage that can be caused by nuclear waste. One possible solution is to pass on research the recycling of radioactive materials. In the United States, research in this area of nuclear waste recycling has not been tested to its greate st potential. coating The relationship between the ocean and nuclear waste will continue for thousands of years. This is due to the vast quantities of radioactive waste that has already been dumped into the ocean. However, it is our responsibility to protect the milieu and to ensure the Earth for future generations. Nuclear recycling is a plausible solution and it is not too late to expedite the research in this area. ReferencesTrudeau, Rebecca, The Ocean Dumping Act University of Florida,1994. Waczewski, James, Legal, Political, and Scientific Response to Ocean Dumping, Florida State University, 1997.