Nuclear activity rises at Chernobyl
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RESTRICTIONS: Broadcast: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Digital: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN
Scientists have recorded a rise in fission reactions around the destroyed nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, according to New Scientist.
Originally the Unit Four reactor at the Chernobyl plant experienced a meltdown in April of 1986, after an unexpected drop in power during a safety test, according to Sciencealert.
Explosions of compressed steam released as a result of the meltdown sent out radioactive material across Europe, helping lead to the premature deaths of what could be tens of thousands of people.
The concern now is that an increase in neutron emissions could create an uncontrolled nuclear fission reaction and further explosions. In nuclear fission, a neutron collides with a uranium atom and splits it, releasing energy and additional neutrons. These neutrons then collide with further uranium atoms in a chain reaction, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
RUNDOWN SHOWS:
1. Location of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant
2. Sensors on external structure above the plant
3. 1986 explosion
4. Smoke from 1986 explosion spreading through Europe
5. Neutrons splitting nuclei of uranium isotopes
6. Rain falling on exposed Unit Four reactor of plant
VOICEOVER (in English):
"Scientists have recorded a rise in fission reactions around the destroyed nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, according to New Scientist."
"The plant is surrounded by a megastructure called Chernobyl New Safe Confinement and sensors around the structure have registered increased neutron emissions according to Reuters."
"Originally the Unit Four reactor at the Chernobyl plant experienced a meltdown in April of 1986, after an unexpected drop in power during a safety test, according to Sciencealert."
"Explosions of compressed steam released as a result of the meltdown sent out radioactive material across Europe, helping lead to the premature deaths of what could be tens of thousands of people."
"The concern now is that an increase in neutron emissions could create an uncontrolled nuclear fission reaction and further explosions. In nuclear fission, a neutron collides with a uranium atom and splits it, releasing energy and additional neutrons. These neutrons then collide with further uranium atoms in a chain reaction, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration."
"The increase in neutron emissions may have been caused by changes in rainwater levels since the installation of a new shelter over the site in 2016, according to Reuters, citing scientists at Ukraine's Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants."
SOURCES: Science Alert, New Scientist, Reuters, Popular Mechanics, U.S. Energy Information Administration
https://www.sciencealert.com/chernoby...
https://www.newscientist.com/article/...
https://www.reuters.com/world/chernob...
https://www.reuters.com/world/chernob...
https://www.popularmechanics.com/scie...
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/n...
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