Disarmament and Decommissioning in the Nuclear Domain

Disarmament and Decommissioning in the Nuclear Domain
Author: Jean-Claude Amiard
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2021-08-19
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1119855519

Following the acquisition of the atomic bomb by five states, the United Nations began drafting several treaties to limit nuclear proliferation. These efforts failed, as four more states also acquired nuclear weapons. In a similar vein, an attempt to limit atomic weapons - primarily within the two superpowers - was initiated. While the number of weapons has decreased, the new bombs now being manufactured are more powerful and more precise, negating any reduction in numbers. In the field of civil nuclear use, all nuclear facilities (reactors, factories, etc.) have a limited lifespan. Once a plant is permanently shut down, these facilities must be decommissioned and dismantled. These operations are difficult, time-consuming and costly. In addition, decommissioning generates large volumes of radioactive waste of various categories, including long-lived and high-activity waste. Risks to the environment and to health are not negligible during decommissioning. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have produced numerous publications with recommendations. Each state has its own decommissioning strategy (immediate or delayed) and final plan for the site - whether it be returning it to greenfield status or obtaining a nuclear site license with centuries-long monitoring.

Disarmament and Decommissioning in the Nuclear Domain

Disarmament and Decommissioning in the Nuclear Domain
Author: Jean-Claude Amiard
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2021-09-15
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1786307219

Following the acquisition of the atomic bomb by five states, the United Nations began drafting several treaties to limit nuclear proliferation. These efforts failed, as four more states also acquired nuclear weapons. In a similar vein, an attempt to limit atomic weapons - primarily within the two superpowers - was initiated. While the number of weapons has decreased, the new bombs now being manufactured are more powerful and more precise, negating any reduction in numbers. In the field of civil nuclear use, all nuclear facilities (reactors, factories, etc.) have a limited lifespan. Once a plant is permanently shut down, these facilities must be decommissioned and dismantled. These operations are difficult, time-consuming and costly. In addition, decommissioning generates large volumes of radioactive waste of various categories, including long-lived and high-activity waste. Risks to the environment and to health are not negligible during decommissioning. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have produced numerous publications with recommendations. Each state has its own decommissioning strategy (immediate or delayed) and final plan for the site - whether it be returning it to greenfield status or obtaining a nuclear site license with centuries-long monitoring.

Management of Radioactive Waste

Management of Radioactive Waste
Author: Jean-Claude Amiard
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 274
Release: 2021-09-22
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1119866472

The classification of radioactive waste varies from state to state. This results in different management procedures for each country, while following IAEA and OECD/NEA recommendations. Radioactive waste comes from numerous sources. The largest volumes are generated by the decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear facilities. Long-lived, medium- and high-activity waste – categorized as the most hazardous types of waste – are in fact largely produced by nuclear power reactors, spent fuel reprocessing plants and nuclear accidents. Final disposal of very low-activity, low-activity and very short-lived waste is well controlled. However, final solutions for certain categories, including long-lived waste, sorted waste and spent graphite waste, are not yet in place. Management of Radioactive Waste reviews all the possible solutions and presents those chosen by the various states, including a chapter detailing policy on radioactive waste management, taking France as an example.

Marine Environmental Quality

Marine Environmental Quality
Author: Frederic Muttin
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 210
Release: 2021-10-26
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1786307588

Understanding marine pollution and the contamination of coastal environments requires knowledge from a variety of scientific fields. Marine Environmental Quality promotes a multidisciplinary approach to investigations, drawing on not only natural sciences, but also applied mathematics and social sciences. The investigations in this book focus on both organic and inorganic pollutants, firstly in a study conducted in the city of La Rochelle, on the North Atlantic French coast, then expanding the areas under examination to regions of English and Portuguese waters and, lastly, to the Mediterranean Sea. The improvement such research can bring to biomarkers, models and experiments enables equal progress in the quality of seawater in ports and protected areas of coastal regions. The eight chapters of Marine Environmental Quality present many aspects of this research, including experiments with floating barriers, water governance in various areas, sampling sites and sentinel species that act as biomarkers in harbors. Also covered are environmental commitments, both international and local, the risk that marine contamination poses to human health, experimental designs for interactions with microplastics and a study biomonitoring the juveniles of sentinel species. Such results will bring many benefits, to human health, to economic inclusion and to regional development.

Aquatic Biotechnologies

Aquatic Biotechnologies
Author: Jöel Fleurence
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 179
Release: 2024-04-10
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1394284306

Developed over several decades, the concept of aquatic biotechnology refers to aquatic organisms, be they of animal or plant origin. It involves transforming biological resources into products for human and animal consumption. The emergence of transgenic fish (such as AquAdvantage salmon) and their use as foodstuffs has reopened the societal debate on the place of genetically modified organisms in our diet. This new aquaculture based on genetic engineering is known as the "blue revolution." However, "blue" biotechnology is not limited to the production of genetically modified organisms; it also involves the use of biotechnological processes, such as enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation, on aquatic resources. Aquatic Biotechnologies presents an overview of these biotechnological processes (genetic, enzymatic and fermentative engineering) as applied to aquatic organisms and their production methods (traditional aquaculture and aquaculture producing genetically modified organisms).

Birth of Scientific Ecology

Birth of Scientific Ecology
Author: Patrick Matagne
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 356
Release: 2024-02-21
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1394276680

This book presents a biography of the Danish botanist Eugen Warming. As the author of a treatise on ecology that brought him international recognition, he was able to inspire the first generation of 20th-century European and American ecologists. His innovative approach to nature and his Arctic and tropical missions heralded the birth of a new science and an ecological awareness. As a professor at several Scandinavian universities during a period of intense debate and controversy over evolutionary theories, Eugen Warming vigorously asserted his convictions. Birth of Scientific Ecology presents the image of a man of knowledge and power, recognized by his contemporaries as a founder of ecology and a player in the ecological project of the Kingdom of Denmark at a time when the empires were clashing.

Eco-design of Marine Infrastructures

Eco-design of Marine Infrastructures
Author: Sylvain Pioch
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2021-10-26
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1786307111

This book offers an insight into how to create aesthetically pleasing, environmentally integrated, multi-functional developments in the ocean or on the coastline. Eco-design of Marine Infrastructures provides practical and realistic solutions for delivering projects that strive to minimize negative environmental impacts. Using case studies and examples, this book presents a toolkit of options, allowing decision makers and planners to see what is possible and to make informed choices about the risks and benefits of eco-design. It is intended for researchers, engineers, students and decision makers, or anyone who is curious to see how nature can be integrated into development.

Marine Radioecology, Volume 6

Marine Radioecology, Volume 6
Author: Jean-Claude Amiard
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2023-01-12
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1786307790

The marine environment, in addition to a not insignificant background of “natural” radioactivity, has continued to receive inputs of radionuclides directly or indirectly through atomic fallout, discharges from the nuclear industry or from nuclear accidents. After their introduction, the fate of these radionuclides is complex with modifications of physicochemical forms, dispersion in marine water masses and adsorption onto sedimentary particles. Marine organisms then bioaccumulate these radionuclides to a greater or lesser extent, dispersing them via their burrowing activities, horizontal and vertical migrations or through food webs. All of these phenomena lead to very variable radioactive contamination, depending on location and the nature of the marine environments concerned, and consequently, to very different doses of irradiation to marine organisms. The harmful effects of ionizing radiation on living marine organisms are felt at varying levels of biological organization from the molecule to the ecosystem, passing through the cell, the organ, the individual and the population. In the end, the radioactive risk for marine organisms can decline according to several situations, which can be normal, programmed or accidental.

The Baseline Concept in Biodiversity Conservation

The Baseline Concept in Biodiversity Conservation
Author: Laurent Godet
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 293
Release: 2022-10-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1786308886

The Anthropocene era has been marked by such significant human pressure that it has led to the sixth mass extinction. The Baseline Concept in Biodiversity Conservation interprets human domination of the Earth as the process of gradual landscape change, the execution of which is neither linear nor homogeneous. This book is structured around three key questions: Where and when did everything go wrong? How do we define baseline states for biodiversity conservation strategies? How are reference states mobilized in a concrete way through case studies? Today, biodiversity conservation faces a dilemma that this book sheds light on: return to states less modified by humans than today but in a world that has changed significantly; or, let the nature of tomorrow express itself where it still can but without a road map.

Disaster Management

Disaster Management
Author: Saima Akbar
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 292
Release: 2024-09-05
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1394317018

Disaster Management embarks on a comprehensive exploration of proactive approaches to confronting the ever-growing challenges posed by natural and man-made disasters. Drawing on a wealth of interdisciplinary research and practical expertise, this book delves into the core principles of disaster management, offering a roadmap for communities, governments and organizations to enhance their preparedness and mitigation strategies. From risk assessment and early warning systems, to community engagement and infrastructure resilience, each chapter provides actionable insights and case studies that illuminate the path towards building robust resilience frameworks. With a keen focus on adaptability and innovation, this book equips readers with the tools necessary to navigate the complexities of today’s dynamic world, fostering a culture of preparedness that can mitigate the impact of disasters and safeguard lives and livelihoods.