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ladjf

(17,320 posts)
33. ‘Scientists don’t know why’: Cesium-137 in soil near Chernobyl has half-life of 180 to 320 years,
Fri Mar 15, 2013, 12:35 PM
Mar 2013

" [...] From Wired Magazine (12/15/2009):

Reinhabiting the large exclusion zone around the [Chernobyl] accident site may have to wait longer than expected. Radioactive cesium isn’t disappearing from the environment as quickly as predicted, according to new research presented here Monday at the meeting of the American Geophysical Union. Cesium 137’s half-life — the time it takes for half of a given amount of material to decay — is 30 years. In addition to that, cesium-137’s total ecological half-life — the time for half the cesium to disappear from the local environment through processes such as migration, weathering, and removal by organisms is also typically 30 years or less, but the amount of cesium in soil near Chernobyl isn’t decreasing nearly that fast. And scientists don’t know why.

It stands to reason that at some point the Ukrainian government would like to be able to use that land again, but the scientists have calculated that what they call cesium’s “ecological half-life” — the time for half the cesium to disappear from the local environment — is between 180 and 320 years.

“Normally you’d say that every 30 years, it’s half as bad as it was. But it’s not,” said Tim Jannik, nuclear scientist at Savannah River National Laboratory and a collaborator on the work. “It’s going to be longer before they repopulate the area.” [...]"

http://enenews.com/scientists-don’t-know-why-cesium-137-in-soil-near-chernobyl-has-half-life-of-180-to-320-years-not-30-years-as-is-typical

I notice that you didn't cite any source for your information concerning the half-life of Cesium 137 at Chernobyl. Since you don't seem to trust info from the INTERNET, where did you get your information?

Recent tests are showing that the Cesium 137 release at the Japanese explosion is four times greater than Chernobyl. That's on an island that is one of the least stable land masses on Earth. And, if you can believe it, they are beginning construction of another nuclear plant.







Safer Nuclear Power, at Half the Price [View all] Rhiannon12866 Mar 2013 OP
A video on the topic was also posted... PoliticAverse Mar 2013 #1
Don't know how I missed this! Thanks so much! Rhiannon12866 Mar 2013 #2
This message was self-deleted by its author guyton Mar 2013 #3
Makes sense to me... Rhiannon12866 Mar 2013 #4
One of the advantages of the thorium cycle wtmusic Mar 2013 #11
Really? kristopher Mar 2013 #13
Yes... really. FBaggins Mar 2013 #21
Getting to the Sun from Earth is remarkably energy intensive Fumesucker Mar 2013 #29
This message was self-deleted by its author guyton Mar 2013 #30
Beware kristopher Mar 2013 #5
Thank you! Rhiannon12866 Mar 2013 #6
At the sales stage they always sound great. kristopher Mar 2013 #7
I agree, may sound promising when still in the planning stage Rhiannon12866 Mar 2013 #8
The liquid salt reactor, if implemented, could be a successful connection between jonthebru Mar 2013 #9
The future energy source is well known - renewables. kristopher Mar 2013 #10
Highly radioactive cooling salt pscot Mar 2013 #27
thanks for posting wtmusic Mar 2013 #12
You're welcome Rhiannon12866 Mar 2013 #15
Half the price but just as deadly to the human race. nt ladjf Mar 2013 #14
I dunno. Fossil fuels are pretty damned deadly, and getting deadlier. hunter Mar 2013 #17
Fossil fuels are very deadly, but the effects aren't as long lasting. However, the obvious answer ladjf Mar 2013 #18
Actually, the effects are longer lasting. hunter Mar 2013 #19
The negative effects of the Chernobyl will last for about 48,000 years. ladjf Mar 2013 #22
And the half life of mercury is forever. hunter Mar 2013 #24
You've got my vote! Nihil Mar 2013 #28
Why is it just as deadly? FBaggins Mar 2013 #20
The Chernobyl disaster will impact the environment for about 48,000 years. ladjf Mar 2013 #23
Sometimes the bullshit gets so thick you have to respond. wtmusic Mar 2013 #25
Thousands of posts on the INTERNET state that it will take about 48,000 years for all of the ladjf Mar 2013 #31
Oh! Why didn't you say so??? FBaggins Mar 2013 #32
‘Scientists don’t know why’: Cesium-137 in soil near Chernobyl has half-life of 180 to 320 years, ladjf Mar 2013 #33
That's just nuts. Sorry. FBaggins Mar 2013 #34
And CO2 will impact for 150,000 years or more NickB79 Mar 2013 #26
morning kick Cooley Hurd Mar 2013 #16
Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Environment & Energy»Safer Nuclear Power, at H...»Reply #33