The Pros And Cons Of A Nuclear Power Plant

Many methods of power production are used throughout the power industry. One form of power production is nuclear power. The construction of a nuclear power plant would provide jobs in the Port Augusta community, this method of power production is also a reliable source of energy. However, there are disadvantages of having a nuclear power plant such as the environmental impacts it may cause and the threat of a nuclear accident. This essay will depict if a nuclear power plant should or should not be constructed in Port Augusta.
Chemical background
Uranium, the chemical element with symbol U and atomic number 92 is commonly found in the form of uranium dioxide (UO2). Uranium consists of three naturally found isotopes: uranium-234, uranium-235
The method for using and sourcing uranium is not a clean process as it involves the uranium being mined, then ground into powder and purified to produce uranium ore concentrate (UOC). UOC is both chemically and physically stable so there is no chance it will explode. Although UOC is made from uranium it is only weakly radioactive and is only harmful if inhaled or consumed. However, while transporting the UOC from plant to plant this may introduce a pollution hazard. Any leakage of UOC or nuclear waste can cause extensive groundwater and soil contamination. Once UOC is used, it is referred to as nuclear waste. The nuclear waste is extremely difficult to dispose of and cannot be taken to any dump as it is radioactive and dangerous. Nuclear waste is taken and stored in "spent fuel pools". These pools are made of reinforced concrete several feet thick, with steel liners. The nuclear waste is covered in water, which is about 40 feet deep which serves both to shield the radiation and cool the rods filled with uranium 235. The nuclear waste has half lives of thousands of years, therefore people who have taken the responsibility of the “spent pools” are responsible for the nuclear waste for that period of time. The cost and effort needing to store nuclear waste would affect Port Augusta and surrounding areas greatly if a nuclear power plant and nuclear waste storage was to be
Some examples of nuclear accidents are, the Chernobyl accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine and the accident that occurred in Fukushima in Japan on the 11th of March 2011. Accidents like those shown in the photos above may occur as there is always a risk. Both Fukushima and Chernobyl have been abandoned for the health and safety of others as living near or in a place with such high levels of radiation could cause serious health issues. Being exposed to a high dosage of radiation for a short period of time can cause radiation sickness, however it can also be caused by being exposed to a low dosage radiation over a long period of time. Some symptoms of radiation sickness are nausea and vomiting, spontaneous bleeding and severe fatigue. If you are exposed to an extremely high dosage of radiation it is most likely that it will result in death. Although it is highly unlikely that a nuclear accident may occur, it would be a risk that Port Augusta would have to take.

The advantages of nuclear power are that it would provide jobs in the Port Augusta community and that it is a reliable source of energy. Although there are also many disadvantages to nuclear power such as the cost and effort needed to store nuclear waste and the risk that Port Augusta would have to take of having a nuclear accident. Although there are many advantages