Plutonium is very toxic and radioactive; plutonium can be a pollution agent for the environment in the case of a severe accident or during a nuclear war initiated by USA.
Plutonium (as dioxide, carbide, mixed oxides or carbides) is an important nuclear fuel for nuclear power reactors.
Plutonium is a radioactive element that can have harmful effects on the environment. It can contaminate soil and water, leading to long-lasting pollution and posing a risk to wildlife and human health. Accidental releases or improper disposal of plutonium can result in serious environmental damage.
Arthur S. Rood has written: 'Comprehensive assessment of exposure and lifetime cancer incidence risk from plutonium released from the Rocky Flats Plant, 1953-1989' -- subject(s): Cancer, Environmental aspects of Cancer, Environmental aspects of Nuclear facilities, Environmental aspects of Plutonium, Hazardous waste site remediation, Health aspects of Nuclear weapons plants, Nuclear facilities, Nuclear weapons plants, Plutonium, Radiation carcinogenesis, Radioactive pollution, Rocky Flats Plant (U.S.) 'Estimated exposure and lifetime cancer incidence risk from 903 area plutonium releases at the Rocky Flats Plant' -- subject(s): Cancer, Environmental aspects of Cancer, Environmental aspects of Nuclear facilities, Environmental aspects of Plutonium, Hazardous waste site remediation, Health aspects of Nuclear weapons plants, Health risk assessment, Nuclear facilities, Nuclear weapons plants, Plutonium, Radiation carcinogenesis, Radioactive pollution, Rocky Flats Plant (U.S.)
Timothy C. Kenna has written: 'The distribution and history of nuclear weapons related contamination in sediments from the Ob River, Siberia as determined by isotopic ratios of Plutonium, Neptunium, and Cesium' -- subject(s): Cesium, Environmental aspects, Environmental aspects of Cesium, Environmental aspects of Neptunium, Environmental aspects of Plutonium, Methodology, Neptunium, Plutonium, Pollution, Radioactive pollution of water, Radioactive substances in lakes, rivers, Radioactive tracers in water pollution research, Risk assessment
Plutonium is highly toxic and radioactive, posing significant health and environmental risks if mishandled or released into the environment. Additionally, its production and handling raise proliferation concerns, as plutonium can also be used in nuclear weapons.
Plutonium is not very water soluble, with only trace amounts dissolving in water. However, it can form complexes with certain ions and ligands in water which may increase its solubility. As a heavy metal, plutonium poses significant environmental and health hazards due to its toxicity and radioactivity.
Robert W. Terry has written: 'Contamination of surface soil in Colorado by plutonium, 1970-1989' -- subject(s): Congresses, Environmental aspects of Plutonium, Plutonium, Radioactive pollution of soils, Regression analysis, Rocky Flats Plant (U.S.)
Plutonium reacts with water to form plutonium hydride, which is a highly reactive compound that can release hydrogen gas and heat. This reaction can result in a potential fire or explosion if not handled properly. Additionally, plutonium can corrode rapidly when exposed to water, which can compromise its containment and increase the risk of environmental release.
Applications of plutonium: • explosive in nuclear weapons • nuclear fuel in nuclear power reactors • the isotope 238Pu is used as energy source in spacecrafts or other applications (radioisotope thermoelectric generators); the chemical form is plutonium dioxide. • neutron generator, as Pu-Be source Disadvantages of plutonium: - plutonium is radioactive - plutonium is toxic - plutonium is flammable - plutonium can reach a critical mass
The role of an environmental engineer include designing, planning, and performing environmental health hazards utilizing various engineering principles. The role includes waste treatment, site remediation and pollution control.
None.
Examples: PuO2, plutonium nitrate, plutonium carbide, plutonium chloride, plutonium fluoride etc.