Botkin Environmental Science Earth as Living Planet 8th txtbk

CHAPTER
17
Nuclear
Energy
and the Environment
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
As one of the alternatives to fossil fuels, nuclear energy
generates a lot of controversy. After reading this
chapter, you should understand . . .
What nuclear fission is and the basic components
of a nuclear power plant;
Nuclear radiation and its three major types;
How radioisotopes affect the environment, and
the major pathways of radioactive materials in the
environment.
The relationships between radiation doses and
health;
The advantages and disadvantages of nuclear
power;
What the future of nuclear power is likely to be.
Indian Point Energy Center is a two-unit (originally three-unit)
nuclear power plant installation on the eastern shore of the
Hudson River within 24 miles of New York City. It must be
relicensed, and, as the lower photograph shows, this is creating
a major controversy about whether such an installation should
be near tens of millions of people.
People around the world are wearing masks
to protect themselves against swine flu.
(Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/
nation-world/ny-swineflu-photos,0,859331.
photogallery [Getty Images Photo / May 2,
2009].)