Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster | Why it happened? | Dhruv Rathee

Summary

On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union suffered a catastrophic meltdown, releasing radioactive material equivalent to 400 Hiroshima bombs. The disaster's aftermath spanned Europe, causing widespread radiation sickness and thyroid cancer in children. The Soviet Union's delayed response and eventual admission of the incident led to the creation of the World Association of Nuclear Operators, emphasizing safety in nuclear energy. The Chernobyl plant continued operations until 2000, with the exclusion zone now a thriving ecosystem for wildlife, despite the lingering radiation effects.

Takeaways

• 🗓️ The Chernobyl disaster occurred on April 26, 1986, at 1:23 AM, resulting in a massive explosion and release of radioactive material.
• 🔴 The explosion was caused by a combination of design flaws and operator errors during a safety test in Reactor Number 4.
• 💥 The initial explosion led to a second, more powerful blast, which ejected the reactor's lid and spread radioactive material into the atmosphere.
• ⚠️ The disaster released radiation equivalent to 400 Hiroshima atomic bombs, affecting not only Ukraine but also other European countries.
• 🌍 The radioactive fallout resulted in widespread environmental and health issues, including thyroid cancer in thousands of children.
• 🛠️ The RBMK 1000 reactor design used in Chernobyl had a unique setup with graphite as a moderator and a flawed control rod design.
• 🌊 The disaster highlighted the importance of a consistent water supply for cooling and the risks of positive feedback loops in nuclear reactions.
• 🚒 Firefighters and 'liquidators' bravely worked to contain the disaster, with many suffering from acute radiation sickness and long-term health effects.
• 🏰 The construction of the Sarcophagus and later the New Safe Confinement was crucial in containing the radioactive waste and preventing further catastrophes.
• 💔 The disaster had a profound economic, political, and social impact, contributing to the breakdown of the Soviet Union and leading to improved global nuclear safety standards.
• 🌿 Despite high radiation levels, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone has become a unique wildlife sanctuary, with nature reclaiming the area and supporting diverse fauna.

Q & A

What was the date and time of the Chernobyl disaster?

The Chernobyl disaster occurred on the 26th of April, 1986, at 1:23 AM.

What was the immediate cause of the explosion at Chernobyl's Reactor Number 4?

The immediate cause of the explosion was the reactor going out of control during a routine safety test, leading to a power surge and subsequent blasts.

How did the design flaw in the control rods contribute to the disaster?

The design flaw in the control rods contributed to the disaster because the graphite tips of the control rods sped up the reaction instead of slowing it down when they were inserted during the emergency shutdown.

What was the role of Xenon 135 in the Chernobyl disaster?

Xenon 135, a byproduct of the nuclear fission reaction, accumulated in the reactor core and absorbed excess neutrons, causing a significant drop in power output, which led to the workers removing more control rods and ultimately the disaster.

How did the Soviet Union initially handle the aftermath of the disaster?

The Soviet Union initially tried to cover up the incident, but they were forced to admit to the disaster after high levels of radioactivity were detected in Sweden.

What was the impact of the Chernobyl disaster on the surrounding environment and wildlife?

The disaster led to the creation of a 30 km exclusion zone, the abandonment of the area by humans, and the flourishing of wildlife, although some animals showed deformities due to radiation.

What was the 'Red Forest' and why was it named so?

The 'Red Forest' refers to the area around Chernobyl where the trees had a red ginger-colored tint due to radiation, leading to the area being named so.

How did the disaster affect the health of people, particularly children?

The disaster led to 20,000 cases of thyroid cancer in children below the age of 18 who lived through the disaster, primarily due to the consumption of milk from cows that had eaten radioactive grass.

What measures were taken to contain the radioactive waste after the disaster?

A structure known as the Sarcophagus was built on top of the reactor to contain the radioactive waste. Later, a new safe confinement was constructed on top of the existing Sarcophagus to ensure long-term containment.

What was the economic cost of the Chernobyl disaster to the Soviet Union?

The economic cost of the Chernobyl disaster to the Soviet Union was $235 billion, covering emergency response, cleanup, relocation, survivor expenses, and environmental decontamination.

How did the Chernobyl disaster influence global nuclear safety practices?

The disaster led to the founding of the World Association of Nuclear Operators in 1989, an international organization aimed at conducting safety checks and research to increase the safety of nuclear power plants worldwide.