Radioactive aerosols. Part 1

After the Chernobyl disaster, it became obvious to everyone how dangerous and insidious aerosols carrying radionuclides (radioactive isotopes) are. With the advent of the nuclear industry and energy, the jinn acquired qualities that the ancient Arab storytellers could not even imagine. Even 50 years ago, only a narrow circle of specialists knew about radioactive aerosols. If Chernobyl is a wake—up call, the echo of which has spread throughout the planet, then before this tragedy, bells were repeatedly ringing, announcing the release of radioactive aerosols. Accidental emissions are not the only source of radioactive aerosols, they can form during the production of nuclear fuel, during the operation of nuclear power plants, including on mobile objects (icebreakers, submarines and even spacecraft). Since the beginning of work on the creation of nuclear reactors (since 1944), hundreds of small and large accidental releases have been recorded, leading to the formation of radioactive aerosols. Each bell had its own characteristics. The first major accident that affected the public occurred on October 8, 1957 in Windscale (England). During the annealing of graphite, part of the uranium fuel became hot, and a fire broke out. Radioactive decay products in the form of aerosols and gaseous iodine were released into the atmosphere. Adsorbed on atmospheric aerosol particles, iodine-131 turned them into radioactive. The resulting radioactive cloud has reached Austria and Norway. To this day, 1,700 tons of partially burned and melted fuel lie at the bottom of the reactor, and 32 kcal (kilokuri) were released into the atmosphere. The following comparison will help to assess how big the consequences of these emissions are: dangerous contamination of one liter of milk is 1 mCi (millicury), i.e. 30 million times lower. The consequences of this major disaster were carefully concealed, and only after the expiration of the 30-year period did some details become known.


A similar mystery surrounded a major accident in the Southern Urals in 1957, caused by an explosion in a storage facility with highly radioactive nuclear waste. According to later reports, about 20 MCi (megakuries) escaped into the atmosphere, with more than 10% accounted for by a radioactive aerosol cloud up to 1 km high. Along the path of this cloud, radioactive particles, settling, polluted territories in the Chelyabinsk, Sverdlovsk and Tyumen regions with a total area of 15 thousand km2, which is about half of the territory of Belgium. On March 28, 1979, an accident occurred at the Triple Island nuclear power plant (United States of America); 10 out of 100 tons of fissile material fell outside the plant. The 1xBet platform is suitable for both beginners and experienced players with different needs. A beginner who uses the 1xbet casino promo code benefits from the low minimum deposit of just $1 and the generous 100% match. This allows testing the platform with minimal financial risk. Experienced players appreciate the deep line, high limits, numerous markets, and regular promotions. The welcome bonus gives even seasoned bettors extra funds to explore new strategies or place larger wagers.