Nuclear Waste Management: A Comprehensive Guide for BSc Students

Question 1

Which type of radioactive waste has the highest specific activity, which is the amount of radioactivity per unit of mass?

Accepted Answer

High-level radioactive waste (HLW)

Answer

Low-level radioactive waste (LLW)

Answer

Intermediate-level radioactive waste (ILW)

Answer

Transuranic waste (TRU)

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of vitrification in nuclear waste management?

Accepted Answer

To solidify radioactive waste into a glass-like substance

Answer

To reduce waste volume

Answer

To separate radioactive isotopes

Answer

To enhance waste transportability

Question 3

Which international organization plays a leading role in promoting nuclear safety and regulation?

Accepted Answer

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Answer

World Health Organization (WHO)

Answer

International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP)

Answer

Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)

Question 4

What is the term for the process of separating reusable materials from nuclear waste?

Accepted Answer

Reprocessing

Answer

Partitioning

Answer

Decontamination

Answer

Stabilization

Question 5

What is the purpose of using a multi-barrier approach in nuclear waste repositories?

Accepted Answer

To provide multiple levels of containment and redundancy

Answer

To reduce waste toxicity

Answer

To facilitate waste retrieval

Answer

To minimize environmental impact

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a primary method of nuclear waste management?

Accepted Answer

Incineration

Answer

Storage

Answer

Disposal

Answer

Reprocessing

Question 7

What is the main challenge associated with the long-term storage of high-level nuclear waste?

Accepted Answer

Radioactive decay

Answer

Chemical instability

Answer

Volume reduction

Answer

Public opposition

Question 8

What is the primary radioactive isotope of concern in high-level nuclear waste?

Accepted Answer

Plutonium-239

Answer

Uranium-238

Answer

Americium-241

Answer

Cesium-137

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT categorized as nuclear waste?

Accepted Answer

Sanitary waste

Answer

High-level waste

Answer

Intermediate-level waste

Answer

Low-level waste

Question 10

What is the primary objective of a geological repository for nuclear waste?

Accepted Answer

To isolate the waste from the environment for extended periods

Answer

To reprocess the waste into reusable fuel

Answer

To store the waste temporarily until a permanent solution is developed

Answer

To dispose of the waste in a manner that minimizes the risk of accidents

Question 11

Which radioactive element is the primary source of heat generation in high-level nuclear waste?

Accepted Answer

Plutonium-239

Answer

Uranium-235

Answer

Cesium-137

Answer

Iodine-131

Question 12

What is the preferred approach for managing low-level nuclear waste in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Surface disposal in engineered landfills

Answer

Geological disposal in deep boreholes

Answer

Reprocessing and recycling

Answer

Incineration

Question 13

What is the primary function of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Overseeing the decommissioning of nuclear power plants and management of nuclear waste

Answer

Regulating the nuclear industry

Answer

Conducting research on nuclear waste management

Answer

Providing financial support for nuclear waste management projects

Question 14

What ethical principle forms the basis of 'intergenerational equity' in nuclear waste management?

Accepted Answer

Future generations should not inherit the risks associated with nuclear waste

Answer

Nuclear waste should be disposed of in a manner that minimizes risks to current and future generations

Answer

The costs of nuclear waste management should be borne by the current generation

Answer

Nuclear waste should be disposed of in the most economical way possible

Question 15

Which of the following is an advantage of vitrification as a method of nuclear waste treatment?

Accepted Answer

Reduces waste volume

Answer

Eliminates radioactivity

Answer

Converts waste into a reusable form

Answer

Allows for easy disposal

Question 16

What is the purpose of engineered barriers in a nuclear waste repository?

Accepted Answer

Prevent radionuclide migration

Answer

Provide structural support

Answer

Reduce radiation levels

Answer

Monitor repository performance

Question 17

What is the principle behind deep geological disposal as a method of nuclear waste disposal?

Accepted Answer

Isolating waste from the environment for millions of years

Answer

Treating waste to remove radioactivity

Answer

Reconstituting waste for reuse

Question 18

Which of the following is a potential environmental impact of nuclear waste disposal?

Accepted Answer

Groundwater contamination

Answer

Noise pollution

Answer

Air pollution

Answer

Visual blight

Question 19

What is the primary objective of nuclear waste management policy?

Accepted Answer

Protect public health and the environment

Answer

Reduce political opposition

Answer

Promote nuclear energy development

Answer

Maximize economic benefits