Josh Quinton

Writing 150
Amanda Shrum
November 14, 2014
Annotated Bibliography
Bjrkbacka, sa, Saman Hosseinpour, Magnus Johnson, Christofer Leygraf, and Mats Jonsson.
"Radiation Induced Corrosion of Copper for Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage." Radiation Physics
and Chemistry 92 (2013): 80-86. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.
Disposal of nuclear byproducts requires research looking in to what methods and materials
can effectively shield the environment from deadly radioactive elements. In the wake of a
recent disaster in Carlsbad, New Mexico resulting from failed storage of plutonium and
americium in underground tunnels, renewed interest has emerged surrounding the risks of
producing large quantities of radioactive elements for long periods of time (as long as 24,000
years for some materials). This article discusses the potential for copper containment vessels
to be damaged by the radiation they contain and cause a potential disaster.
Chen, K.c., K. Ting, Y.c. Li, Y.y. Chen, W.k. Cheng, W.c. Chen, and C.t. Liu. "A Study of the
Probabilistic Risk Assessment to the Dry Storage System of Spent Nuclear Fuel."
International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping 87.1 (2010): 17-25. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.
This article uses mathematical risk assessment techniques to examine the risks of storing
depleted nuclear fuel at the site where it is used. Notably, these same techniques were used at
the Fukushima-Daichi plant in Japan before its destruction in 2011, adding complications to
the ensuing disaster. This is a good example of a nuclear storage technique that may have
severe consequences.
Johnson, Jeff. "No More Yucca Mountain." CEN RSS. American Chemical Society, 13 Feb. 2012.
Web. 8 Nov. 2014.

The Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository was supposed to be a permanent solution to
radioactive disposal in the United States, but the Obama administration has recently cancelled
its construction citing economic concerns. I will discuss what the long term effects of this
decision might be and what prospects there are for permanent storage of
Marshall, E. "The Geopolitics of Nuclear Waste." Science 251.4996 (1991): 864-67. Web. 8 Nov.
2014.
This article discusses the various approaches that countries have used to manage the disposal
of depleted nuclear resources. This decision of President Obama and the United States with
respect to nuclear waste disposal will inevitably be very influential on the decisions made by
other countries. Most countries are responsible for disposing of their own nuclear wastes, and
those who do not conform to international standards are often subject to sanctions.
"Nuclear Road Truckers: For Ten Years the US Department of Energy Has Been Transporting
Weapons-related Transuranic (TRU) Waste to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near
Carlsbad, New Mexico. To Date over 8,000 Shipments Have Been Delivered without a
Serious Injury or Release of Radioactive Material." Nuclear Engineering International Dec.
2009: 33. Global Reference on the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources. Web. 13
Nov. 2014.
This article looks in to the logistics of transporting extremely dangerous nuclear materials to
the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico. Often these trips are made with trucks
containing large drums, and politicians have expressed concern for this method of transport.
This is relevant because the plant they transport to has recently faced a disaster which will
render it entirely unusable.
Perrin, Francis, Walter A. Rosenblith, and Arne Tiselius. "Physical Sciences and Engineering."
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 184.1 Environment a (1971): 177-79. Web. 8
Nov. 2014.

This article emphasises the point that the waste product produced by nuclear plants is smaller
and easier to contain than that from fossil fuel plants. Radioactive contamination of the
environment is nonexistent when the plant is in normal operation, and, when safety
procedures are followed rigorously, accidents are very unlikely to happen. This is relevant to
the argument that nuclear waste products nullify the benefits of nuclear power.
Schaffer, Marvin Baker. "Toward a Viable Nuclear Waste Disposal Program." Energy Policy 39.3
(2011): 1382-388. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.
This article discusses steps that can be taken to work towards safer and more responsible
nuclear waste disposal. This article is condemning of temporary on-site storage of wastes at
nuclear plants and promotes the establishment of permanent storage solutions, such as the
Yucca Mountain plant and the WIPP facility in New Mexico.
Schiermeier, Quirin. "Nuclear Energy: Defying Disaster." Nature 472.7344 (2011): 505. Web. 8
Nov. 2014.
This article emphasises the inevitable risks of using nuclear fission to extract nuclear energy
from heavy radioactive elements. The international safety policies in place are very strict, but,
as shown by the disaster at the WIPP facility, even highly complaint governments and plants
are vulnerable to unpredictable complications.
"What Happened at WIPP in February 2014." Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. US Department of
Energy, 30 Sept. 2014. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.
This is a federal accident report of a disaster which recently occurred at the Waste Isolation
Pilot Plant in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The disaster occurred as a result of improper
containment of just one drum of radioactive materials. A chemical reaction occurred within
the drum causing it to burst and compromising the entire facility. This event demonstrates the
risk of storing nuclear waste products even if it is a long term solution.

Zalyubovskii, I. I., S. A. Pismenetskii, V. G. Rudychev, S. P. Klimov, A. E. Luchnaya, and E. V.

Rudychev. "External Radiation of a Container Used for Dry Storage of Spent VVER-1000
Nuclear Fuel from the Zaporozhie Nuclear Power Plant." Atomic Energy 109.6 (2011):
396-403. Web. 8 Nov. 2014.
Even when depleted nuclear fuel is contained for disposal, the exterior of the containers is
likely to emit elevated amounts of radiation. This study examines the potential magnitude of
these emissions and whether they may be unsuitable for close human contact. I will discuss
the necessity for human contact with nuclear waste product for transport and permanent
disposal.

Additional Sources (to be cited):

http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Facts-and-Figures/World-Nuclear-Power-Reactors-andUranium-Requirements/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/fy2010_new_era/
A_New_Era_of_Responsibility2.pdf