Radiation in our time is not only an interesting and relatively new phenomenon for science. It is known that under certain conditions, radioactive radiation is a deadly threat to all living things. It not only causes deep tissue damage, but can also affect the genetic code of plants and animals. Subsequently, this may manifest itself in the form of irreversible mutations in future generations. Even with relatively small doses of radiation, destructive changes begin to occur in the body. Very often, cancer develops as a result of exposure to radiation in humans.
That is why radioactive contamination is such an urgent problem. The concentration that becomes critical for the mouse, of course, is different from the one that hurts the person. Nevertheless, the existing sources of radioactive contamination are capable of throwing out such an enormous amount of radiation at one moment that neither one nor the other will be saved. Most of these sources, contrary to general misconception, are of natural origin. For example, nuclear power plants, which are often talked about on television and in the press, actually carry a much lower threat to the biosphere than we are used to thinking.
Where does radioactive pollution come from?
The most familiar, everyday activities of human society give rise to much more dangerous radiation than any nuclear power enterprise. It's hard to believe, since for a long time we were inspired by a completely different mood. In many ways, modern ideas have developed due to the accident at the notorious Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Despite this stereotype, scientists acknowledge that, according to statistics, people receive more radiation from household activity, which usually does not cause any complaints, during their life. This may include, for example, a standard trip to the radiologist.
The use of air transport, which has long been familiar to us, is as serious a source of radiation as others. It is also important to mention the danger of constantly being sealed rooms. Too good insulation has been shown to provoke an increase in the natural level of radiation over time. But this is exactly what a large part of modern life goes on in in homes and offices. This is followed by such a “seemingly innocent" process as coal burning. Moreover, it can be safely moved to the top lines in terms of radiation intensity.
Radioactive contamination of the biosphere
Nobody invented radiation, people only were able to detect its existence, and then relatively recently, a little more than a hundred years ago. But it can be reliably said that such radiation was present on our planet (and not only on it, the Sun is a powerful source of radiation) almost from the very moment of its birth. Therefore, it may seem that radioactive contamination is not a problem at all, and its danger to the environment is greatly exaggerated. But this is not so. The fact is that any, even not too large excess of the natural concentration of radioactive substances on the planet disrupts the normal functioning of the biosphere. The long-term nature of this effect is another unpleasant factor to be reckoned with.
Consider the most serious sources of radioactive contamination that currently exist:
In the first place is the mining and subsequent processing of uranium ore. Moreover, the greatest danger is not the process itself, but the resulting production waste. As a rule, these are radionuclides - substances that have a very long half-life. Mining is also a significant hazard. Mines containing uranium are themselves a zone of local radioactive contamination, which, thanks to the wind (it moves radioactive dust), can spread far beyond them.
Another source is coal. As everyone knows from the school course, this mineral began to form long ago, even from prehistoric plants. Over a long period of formation, under the thickness of the earth's rock, coal manages to undergo many metamorphoses, as a result of which, over time, it becomes a serious source of radioactive radiation.
Next should be listed thermal and nuclear power plants. The former use coal for their functioning, the action of the latter is based on uranium. Both that and another, as it turned out, carries a significant threat. Also, as a result of the action of nuclear power plants, radioactive waste is generated, liquid and solid, which must be disposed of. This procedure does not bring nature anything good, especially since contaminated water often gets into the seas and lakes. A similar danger is represented by tests of nuclear weapons and the war with their use, as well as the peaceful but irresponsible use of nuclear technology.