The Nuclear-Water Nexus

An edited collection that takes a deep dive into the complex interactions between nuclear energy and water. Splitting atoms is a water-intensive business. To operate efficiently and safely, a standard nuclear reactor needs around 50 cubic meters (13,000 gallons) of water Water has been the key factor in forging a global nuclear geography, as the water needs of nuclear facilities require them to be located near the sea, major rivers, canals, or lakes. As an unintended consequence of such locations, nuclear facilities have become vulnerable to droughts, floods, erosion, and climate change--in a much more dramatic way than most other energy installations. Unsurprisingly, the "wet" geography of nuclear energy also translates into threats to the wet environment, in the form of both radioactive contamination and thermal pollution. Water has, over the years, generated social conflicts--and cooperation--between nuclear energy and other water-intensive activities, such as agriculture, fisheries, navigation, military activities, hydropower production, drinking water supply, landscaping, leisure and tourism--and even fossil fuel extraction. This book examines these processes through a set of in-depth case studies.

Product details

• Authors: Siegfried Evens, Per Hogselius, Hogselius Per
• Assisted by: Siegfried Evens (Editor), Hogselius Per (Editor)
• Publisher: The MIT Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Release: 01.07.2025
• EAN: 9780262552288
• ISBN: 978-0-262-55228-8
• No. of pages: 416
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 229 mm x 29 mm
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Technology > General, dictionaries; TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Power Resources / Nuclear, ENERGY, SCIENCE / Energy, environmental science, engineering & technology, Science / Environmental Science, Nuclear power & engineering, Environmental science, engineering and technology, Nuclear power and engineering