During the last 50 years, scientists have developed ways of using the energy released from the atom to create an energy industry. Over 460 nuclear power stations today supply about 20 percent of the world’s electrical energy. (See appendix, Table 1: Nuclear Reactors of the World by Country). Nuclear power is a useful alternative to fossil fuels which are quickly being depleted. However, three major environmental problems caused by generating nuclear power are extremely dangerous radioactive waste, thermal waste and nuclear accidents.
The major environmental impact of a nuclear power plant is caused by various types of harmful discharges released into the biosphere. Thermal discharges are a major concern. Most modern nuclear plants are designed with closed cooling cycles, usually based on natural draft cooling towers, which discharge waste heat directly into the atmosphere. The thermal pollution from these enormous plants directly into the atmosphere can have negative......

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Title: Nuclear Accidents
Approximate Word Count: 1582
Approximate Pages: 7 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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