Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster

Mia Crumbley6th Grade

Social StudiesCoastal Middle School

10/4/2016

Georgia StandardsSS6G9 The student will discuss

environmental issues in Europe. • a. Explain the major concerns of Europeans

regarding the issues such as acid rain in Germany, air pollution in the United Kingdom, and the nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine.

Chernobyl DisasterChernobyl Disaster• the the worst nuclear accident in worst nuclear accident in

historyhistory• April 26, 1986April 26, 1986• Chernobyl nuclear power station in Chernobyl nuclear power station in

Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union)Union)

• caused numerous caused numerous deaths deaths and injuries • widespread environmental widespread environmental

contamination by radiationcontamination by radiation

Document J• http://app.discoveryeducation.com

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Document K

Source: Health 'Chernobyl cancer might have been prevented' . (1999, July 01). BBC News. Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/382979.stm

Document H shows how the radiation from the blast at Chernobyl power plant spread more than 1200 miles away from initial explosion.

Document L - Chernobyl: Wildlife Sanctuary?

Why?

Document M

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How Did The Disaster Happen?How Did The Disaster Happen?• had four had four nuclear reactorsnuclear reactors (devices that produce (devices that produce

and control nuclear energy) in serviceand control nuclear energy) in service• operators shut off several safety systems and operators shut off several safety systems and

began to power down the fourth reactor for a began to power down the fourth reactor for a test of the plant’s emergency electrical power test of the plant’s emergency electrical power supplysupply

• power surge caused fuel in the reactor to power surge caused fuel in the reactor to overheat, resulting in a steam explosion overheat, resulting in a steam explosion and fireand fire

• produced a radioactive cloud more than 3,280 produced a radioactive cloud more than 3,280 feet in height feet in height

• radioactive substances spread over parts of what radioactive substances spread over parts of what are now Ukraine, Russia, and Belarusare now Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus

• Winds carried the radioactive material into Winds carried the radioactive material into northern and central Europe. northern and central Europe.

The Cover-UpThe Cover-Up• Soviet leaders concealed the Soviet leaders concealed the

accident from the public for nearly accident from the public for nearly two days and refused outside helptwo days and refused outside help

• Eventually, nearby towns were Eventually, nearby towns were evacuatedevacuated

• Cleanup workers Cleanup workers covered the covered the reactor with a concrete shell reactor with a concrete shell

Effects of Chernobyl DisasterEffects of Chernobyl Disaster• 31 people reportedly died from radiation 31 people reportedly died from radiation

sickness or burns sickness or burns • more than 200 others were seriously more than 200 others were seriously

injuredinjured• FalloutFallout (radioactive material) from the (radioactive material) from the

accident caused a number of health and accident caused a number of health and environmental problemsenvironmental problems

• increased rate of cancer, skin diseases, increased rate of cancer, skin diseases, respiratory ailments, and heart respiratory ailments, and heart problemsproblems

Nuclear DisasterNuclear Disaster is the biggest

environmental issue in Europe.DescribeCausesEffectsSolutions-- 2 citations

Environment Issues ChartIssue Describe Causes Effects How

addressingAcid Rain in GermanyAir Pollution in the UKNuclear Disaster in Ukraine

Environment Issues ChartIssue Describe Causes Effects How

addressingAcid Rain in Germany

-precipitation that is polluted by acids

--Gases released into the air by the burning of fossil fuels

-Forest damaged or killed-Pollutes rivers and lakes, kills fish-Eats away at brick and stonework (statues, Bridges, buildings)

-Business that specialize in cleaning pollution-factories reducing gases using scrubbers/filters in air are fined-Cars have converters on exhaust-Government passing laws and changing to less polluting fuels

Air Pollution in the UK

- Smog – combination of smoke and fog

-Emissions from cars and trucks and from ozone

-Many health problems, even deathFor people and plants-causes building materials to deteriorate faster

-tightened emission standards for vehicles-endorsed the use for cleaner fuels-Urged citizens to use public transportation

Nuclear Disaster in Ukraine

-worst nuclear accident to happen

Power surge caused Nuclear reactor to exploded – steam, smoke and fire

-Radiation contaminated farmland, surface water, and groundwater- Diseases such as cancer

-Buried in concrete -Cleanup the area-Changes made in the industry to make safer

Document I: Experts find reduced effects of Chernobyl Source: Rosenthal, E. (2005, September 7). Experts find reduced effects of Chernobyl. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/featured_articles/20050907wednesday.html

Twenty years later, thousands of people continue to be affected by the radioactive contaminated foods that were eaten after the disaster. (Doc I)

video

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Radiation Found In the Ground Radiation Found In the Ground After Chernobyl DisasterAfter Chernobyl Disaster