Energy Sources There Have Been Research Paper

Total Length: 891 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

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Through research on the risks that come with uranium and coal for energy plants, there can be determination of which among the two is better for human sustainability.

Green house gases

Electricity plants that use coal for electricity production release large amounts of greenhouse gases and other pollutants that are harmful to the environment, bearing that coal is packed with high levels of hydrocarbons. Among these gases is sulfur dioxide that results in acid rain formation and consequent depletion of environment and even property that is reactive to sulfuric acid. Nitrogen oxides are also produced and together with VOCS result to smog formation. Mercury is also produced alongside Carbon dioxide which are direct contributors to negative climate change (Matthews, 2012).

On the other hand, in the nuclear power plants there is no production of gases such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon dioxide, mercury or such other toxic gases. If nuclear power plants are managed properly they do not have a direct contribution to climatic change (Lamb & Brain, 2010). There is however release of water vapor into the atmosphere from cooling towers found in these nuclear plants. In coastal plants, there can be discharge of the heated water into lakes and seas and eventually the released heat can be radiated back into the surface causing heating.

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If temperatures of water are raised there can be alteration of carbon dioxide exchange with air in the ocean bodies that result to shifts in weather patterns (Matthews, 2012).

Waste disposal

Coal power plants expel a lot of sludge and ash waste which form toxic substances with other pollutants like cadmium, mercury and arsenic (Sludge Safety Project, 2013). Nuclear power plants produce radioactive waste of about 20 metric tons each year which can be isolated and taken to remote areas for storage where they can stay for many years.

Nuclear power plants are therefore safe under ideal conditions. Climatic change that is caused by green house gases is a very crucial problem to be considered while deciding on which source of energy to be tapped. Therefore, nuclear energy source is better as compared to coal when it comes to the environment. The results from the research conducted are therefore in line with the hypothesis in that nuclear power has been established to be more human sustainable as compared to coal......

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