Tim Weir 2/10/2014
Wald, Matthew L. "Nuclear Waste Solution Seen in Desert Salt Beds." New York Times. 9 Feb.2014. Web. 10 Feb. 2014.
Summary
Half a mile
beneath the deserts of New Mexico caverns of salt exist. The caverns of salt have
been carved out and are being utilized for stowing of radioactive waste
leftover from civilian and military pursuits.
The process being radioactive waste placed into the caverns then the
salt grows six inches every year so the idea is that the salt will engulf the
radioactive material and it will decompose. The fears that surrounds this idea
is that the area of the salt mines are rich in oil so if someone were to drill
on the salt mines inadvertently and release the radioactive material. Lately
the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) experienced some difficulty when a truck
caught on fire and the mine had to be evacuated. However, no one was hurt and
the radioactive waste was at the opposite end of the mine. The WIPP was brought
about because the Yucca project fell through. The Yucca Mountain was supposed
to be a geological repository for nuclear waste however, the Obama
Administration cut the projects funding. State representatives are thoroughly
in favor of the project because they feel that because of the low earthquake
incidence, the dry climate and the fact that the land is not being utilized for
much else. The Governor of New Mexico stated that he was in favor of the
project as long as it was conducted in a safe manor.
Human influence
This
could revolutionize the way that radioactive waste is dealt with. Instead of
becoming a topic highly debated between the EPA and the Federal government this
could be an easy answer. The WIPP is a very interesting project that will play
out in the future. One of the people they interviewed suggested that they wait
25 years to see if it is successful. If it was successful then they could
export the practice to other areas to stash more nuclear waste.
Critique
One
thing that the article did not make me fully aware of was that in 30 years what
will happen to the nuclear waste? Will it not be radioactive? What benefit does
the salt have over say dirt? If the Radioactive waste is simply being stored
there as a placed where it will not harm anyone until it is no longer radioactive
then it seems to be an effective way of doing things. Also, I was confused by
some of the specifics of the dangers of fracking and drilling. The reporter did
not report scientific details but simply opinions of others.
You raise some excellent questions in your critique.
ReplyDeleteSome questions I have: Why was the Yucca Mountain project killed? Why did Nevada fight so strongly against nuclear waste storage in their backyard while New Mexico is welcoming it? How is this project better than Yucca Mountain?
I also wonder just how much nuclear waste is lying around the country, and if we aren't putting this stuff in long-term storage solutions, what are we doing with it?
The author only covered a narrow aspect of this problem. It would have been great to do a bit more research to get more of the overall context for this.
This review had a good brief explanation of the situation of radioactivity that happened in New Mexico and how the US is dealing with the situation. I feel as though you bring up great points on how this is relevant to today and how different organizations are helping with certain situations as these. This really opened my eyes to what is happening now with intervening with radioactive material and how it is affecting or may affect the future. The questions you asked made me think and opened up my mind to expand on the whole topic radioactive waste and fracking not just specifically in this case in New Mexico. Also, I had no idea that this danger of this radioactive material is correlated tot the salt caverns or oil in New Mexico. The only improvement I would suggest is to maybe have more detail in the summary and perhaps use more outside information on how it is relevant today to go more in depth and for your better understanding of the article if it is not provided to you.
ReplyDeleteEarth science Jack Millard
ReplyDeleteGood job Tim, I really liked the concise explanation of the article that brought up all the important points and information. The paragraph was written in a way that helped me really understand the process and situation of the nuclear salt mines and was easy to understand. In addition, I enjoyed the many views that you incorporated in the paragraph. The details were well presented and it had a nice flow to it. This gave me a sense of the perspectives of the many parties involved in a volatile process such as disposing of nuclear waste. The article and the review also brought to my attention the important process of disposing of nuclear waste. Not inly that, but I also learned that by putting the waste in a salt mine, the salt grows through it and it decomposes. This article also brought to my attention the controversy and danger around something so dangerous and lethal being stowed in such a place. Not only this, but also the fact that the area is oil rich and if these drills were to tap into the filled mines, that they could leak the radioactive material. If I had to critique one thing, it would be to add some more information. Though the review was informative and gave an all round good understanding of the topic, I felt it lacked a few pieces of information that would have made it perfect. Other than that, I thought that it was a very interesting article and a great review.
Tim, this is a great job. I really liked how this report is very informational, as i didn't know anything about this before reading it. I also liked how you said how the radioactive waste decomposes as it is interesting how the salt in the caverns engulf the waste to dispose of it. I also liked how you asked very important and specific questions in the critique, as I thought almost the same exact questions. I was shocked when I read your report and an interview said that we will have to wait 25 years to see if this works, as this is a very long time to see if this project will work. I also found it interesting how the Obama Administration cut the Yucca Mountain project as that was a great opportunity to utilized the land in New Mexico. For next time I think that you could include in the human influence section how this could effect the surrounding communities or the animals or plants living near these areas. Besides this I thought you did a very informational and thorough report.
ReplyDelete