There are a number of types of radiometric dating. Carbon-14 dating, which is perhaps best known, can only be used for things some thousands of years old at most, and so is not particularly useful for fossils. Other types of radiometric dating, however, are good for hundreds of thousands or millions of years, and these are very useful for fossils. In fact they can be used to estimate the ages of various kinds of rocks.
Radioactive waste is a pollutant that affects some radiometric dating techniques, skewing them. For example, above ground nuclear testing in the 1950s and 1960s produced waste carbon-14, almost doubling the amount in the atmosphere for some time. This would make samples from that period appear too new.
Most radioactive materials in nuclear waste or pollution would not have this sort of effect, however. In order to influence radiometric dating, the material measured has to be part of the pollution or has to be generated from it. Carbon-14 results from a collision of a neutron with nitrogen-13 (a hydrogen atom is also generated). But this happens in the upper atmosphere as a result of cosmic rays. There are very few sources of neutrons on Earth, with uranium-235 probably being the most common. So ordinary nuclear waste from such sources as power plants will not usually skew carbon-14 dating.
On the other hand, the isotopes other than carbon-14 that are used in radiodating may be among those in nuclear waste. Among the isotopes that might be affected are those used in iodine-xenon dating, rubidium-strontium, and potassium-argon dating. Nuclear pollutants might include these isotopes in them, and so exposure would possibly skew results.
There are other forms of pollution that affect carbon dating. Burning of fossil fuels increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere without increasing the amount of carbon-14. This would make some samples from the period after about 1700 appear too old.
What type of reaction produces the most dangerous radioactive waste?
All plants have radioactive waste, especially fossil fuel plants.
most radioactive waste is put into special drums that are shipped to a special radioactive waste dump.some of it is concealed in sheets of glass or concrete and put in a place where it wont be touched for many of many years to come this is the most efficient way of doing it.
The biggest problem with radioactive waste is how to safely and properly dispose of it. Finding suitable disposal facilities for radioactive waste is difficult. Depending on the type of waste disposed, the disposal facility may need to contain radiation for a very long time.
nuclear
Most radioactive waste is sealed in special containers, and buried underground. Medical waste that may be radioactive is taken to landfills.
Yes, the process of fission produces radioactive waste.
Robert E. Berlin has written: 'Radioactive waste management' -- subject(s): Radioactive waste disposal, Radioactive waste sites
radioactive waste go somewhere probally in a labratory
Nuclear Energy produces radioactive waste because if there isnt any sign of nuclear waste/energy in the sullotion/object then it wouldnt be counted as 'Radioactive'.
Radioactive waste is nearly always a mixture but it is possible to be a pure substance.
Yes, fusion does not create long-lived radioactive waste like fission does.
Radioactive hazardous waste gives off radiation. This includes materials such as spent nuclear fuel, radioactive medical waste, and contaminated laboratory equipment. Proper handling and disposal of radioactive waste is crucial to protect human health and the environment.
No. The products of nuclear fusion are not radioactive.
What type of reaction produces the most dangerous radioactive waste?
Yes, fusion does not produce long-lived radioactive waste like nuclear fission.
Unwanted radioactive products formed during nuclear reactions are called nuclear waste or radioactive waste. These byproducts are often harmful to the environment and can remain radioactive for long periods of time, presenting challenges for disposal and management.