POTENTIAL SOURCES OF MAN MADE RADIOCHEMICAL CONTAMINATION OF WATER RESOURCES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE

摘要

The nuclear fuel cycle involves the mining and isotopic enrichment of uranium and its fabrication into fuel rods and assemblies for nuclear fission reactors. After 'burn-up' in the reactors, there is a period of storage or reprocessing of the spent fuel and management of all the wastes associated with these activities (including decommissioning of the reactors at the end of their useful lives). Specialised facilities also exist for the production of isotope sources of many types used in medicine, industry and research. In addition, in many countries there are associated activities related to military applications of nuclear power.