Plutonium

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dc.contributor.authorWatson, GMen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2007-11-22T04:29:56Zen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2010-04-30T04:39:54Zen_AU
dc.date.available2007-11-22T04:29:56Zen_AU
dc.date.available2010-04-30T04:39:54Zen_AU
dc.date.issued1976-01en_AU
dc.description.abstractDiscovery of the neutron made it easy to create elements which do not exist in nature. One of these is plutonium, and its isotope with mass number 239 has nuclear properties which make it both a good fuel for nuclear power reactors and a good explosive for nuclear weapons. Since it was discovered during a war the latter characteristic was put to use, but it is now evident that use of plutonium in a particular kind of nuclear reactor, the fast breeder reactor, will allow the world's resources or uranium to last for millennia as a major source of energy. Plutonium is very radiotoxic, resembling radium in this respect. Therefore the widespread introduction of fast breeder reactors to meet energy demands can be contemplated only after assurances on two points; that adequate control of the radiological hazard resulting from the handling of very large amounts of plutonium can be guaranteed, and that diversion of plutonium to illicit use can be prevented. The problems exist to a lesser degree already, since all types of nuclear reactor produce some plutonium. Some plutonium has already been dispersed in the environment, the bulk of it from atmospheric tests of nuclear weapons.en_AU
dc.identifier.citationWatson. G. M. (1976). Plutonium (AAEC-IP-11). Lucas Heights, NSW: Australian Atomic Energy Commission.en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc769en_AU
dc.identifier.isbn0642997284en_AU
dc.identifier.otherAAEC-IP-11en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/759en_AU
dc.language.isoen_auen_AU
dc.publisherAustralian Atomic Energy Commissionen_AU
dc.subjectPlutoniumen_AU
dc.subjectRadioactive waste storageen_AU
dc.subjectNuclear weaponsen_AU
dc.subjectNuclear poweren_AU
dc.subjectHealth hazardsen_AU
dc.titlePlutoniumen_AU
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