The Chernobyl Disaster: The Environmental Effects of the 1986 Nuclear Disaster Doni June V.

Almio Nuclear Disaster accidents involving nuclear power plants were there is a release of massive amounts of radiation and radioactive materials in the environment affecting humans, flora and fauna, and all living things surrounding such disaster. Radioactive Materials materials that are considered as waste after a laboratory experiment or chemical procedure. This may affect the ecosystem as well as the human health. Overview -The Chernobyl nuclear disaster took place on April 26, 1986. -It was a nuclear disaster classified as level 7 in the International Nuclear Event Scale. -Said to be the worst nuclear disaster in history costing 18M Rubles. The Ukranian government reported 31 deaths only which is still questionable according to some scientists because of the widespread effect of the disaster. General Effects -There were deformities of new born children around the area. This was termed by scientists as mutation. -Thryroid cancer also developed for the workers of the plants and people affected by the radiation of the disaster. Environmental Effects -There was an international spreading of radioactive substances as far as Wales and Finland. -This spreading of radioactive substances leads to some negative effects in the environment. -A 30km exclusion zone was established to make sure that nobody will be affected by these substances anymore. These radioactive substances affect the environment by: 1. Disfunctioning the reproductive tissues of plants. 2. Contamination of Water 3. Health problems for humans and animals. DISFUNCTIONING THE REPRODUCTIVE TISSUES OF PLANTS - The disaster created the Red Forest which is located in the exclusion zone around the disaster area. - It was called the Red Forest because of the fact that the green trees surrounding near the area of the nuclear plant turned brownish-red after the said disaster due to high absorption of radioactive substances. - A stunning 2,640 sq. km. of farmland and 1,900 sq. km. forest land have been taken out of human use FOREVER in Belarus. - Crops and grass were affected greatly that some of it caused the deformities of the animals being born and their death as well. CONTAMINATION OF WATER - The location of the disaster is near the Pripyat River, which in turn is connected to the Dnieper reservoir system. - The effects in water were mostly short-termed. It was reported that the contamination is now minimal because the pollutants settled in an insoluble phase rumored to dissolve in 800-1000 years. - The destroyed nuclear reactor has been prevented from entering the Pripyat River ever since the disaster. - Slit traps were made to prevent it to enter the said river. - Videos were posted on youtube regarding mutation of fishes such as catfishes around the disaster area. HEALTH PROBLEMS FOR HUMANS and ANIMALS - The animals stopped reproducing immediately after the Chernobyl disaster. - A lot of animal deformities also happened. - The Norwegian Agricultural Authority reported that in 2009 that livestock in Norway needed to be given uncontaminated feed for a period of time before slaughter in order to ensure that their meat was safe for human consumption. - Of the 440,350 wild boar killed in the 2010 hunting season in Germany, over 1,000 were found to be contaminated with levels of radiation above the permitted limit. For this reason, wild game meat was banned from Germany. THE COPING UP - The Exlcusion Zone was created. - The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Sarcophagus - a massive concrete envelope surrounding the nuclear reactor unit 4 of the Chernobyl Power Plant designed to halt the emission of radiation caused by the disaster. - On December 2000, the entire site was shut down. - The Chernobyl Shelter Fund was established in 1997 at the Denver 23rd G8 Summit to finance the Shelter Implementation Plan (SIP).

The plan calls for transforming the site into an ecologically safe condition by means of stabilization of the sarcophagus followed by construction of a New Safe Confinement (NSC). The NSC is expected to be completed in 2015 and will be the largest movable structure ever built. International laws were also passed after the said accident: The Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident - Aims to strengthen international co-operation in order to provide relevant information about nuclear accidents as early as necessary in order that transboundary radiological consequences can be minimized. The Convention on Assistance in the case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency - States Parties cooperate between themselves and with the IAEA to facilitate prompt assistance in the event of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency to minimize its consequences and to protect life, property and the environment from the effects of radioactive releases. Convention on Nuclear Safety - Article 15. Each Contracting Party shall take the appropriate steps to ensure that in all operational states the radiation exposure to the workers and the public caused by a nuclear installation shall be kept as low as reasonably achievable and that no individual shall be exposed to radiation doses which exceed prescribed national dose limits.

Analysis The effect of the accident was devastating to nature because the nuclear plant was situated in a place where bodies of water and plants and trees were located. The international nuclear laws were a little bit too late. The moment that nuclear plants started to rise, the international community should have recognized its possible effects to the community and environment. No degree of care established for nuclear power plants. The conventions agreed upon by states do not include punishments for non-compliance. In this case, the degree of care required for these states may be taken for granted in case of nuclear disasters. The Red Forest remains to be a red forest even though 27 years has already passed. No measures were taken regarding rehabilitation of the said areas. A little more time and the traps done to protect the Pripyat river from the reactor 4 (the one that exploded). In case this happens, a new contamination will take place. Recommendations Plants as big as Chernobyl should be placed in isolated places to minimize large-scale effects during accidents. A degree of care for states operating nuclear power plants must be established. Even though theres a prediction that the red forest will eventually turn green, measures must be taken to make them go back to normal fast. If possible, a way to totally destroy reactor number 4 must be done to prevent further contamination of water. If no totally, to minimize the damage that it may cause.

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