What are the Environmental Consequences of Nuclear Energy?
Nuclear power plants are called clean sources of energy because the power plants do not release carbon dioxide. However, high amounts of carbon dioxide are emitted in activities related to building and running the plants. Nuclear power plants use uranium as fuel. The process of mining uranium releases high amounts of carbon dioxide into the environment. Carbon dioxide is also released into the environment when new nuclear power plants are built. Also, Nuclear power plants emit sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide for air emissions. Nuclear power plants use large amounts of water for steam production and cooling. However, some power plants do remove large quantities of water from a lake or a river which could affect fish and other aquatic life. For fuel, nuclear power plants must shut down every 18 to 24 months in order to remove and replace the spent fuel.
Nuclear power plants are called clean sources of energy because the power plants do not release carbon dioxide. However, high amounts of carbon dioxide are emitted in activities related to building and running the plants. Nuclear power plants use uranium as fuel. The process of mining uranium releases high amounts of carbon dioxide into the environment. Carbon dioxide is also released into the environment when new nuclear power plants are built. Also, Nuclear power plants emit sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide for air emissions. Nuclear power plants use large amounts of water for steam production and cooling. However, some power plants do remove large quantities of water from a lake or a river which could affect fish and other aquatic life. For fuel, nuclear power plants must shut down every 18 to 24 months in order to remove and replace the spent fuel.