CHAPTER 17
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ACID MINE DRAINAGE
Pollution caused when sulfuric acid and dangerous dissolved materials, such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium, wash from coal and metal mines into nearby lakes and streams.
ENRICHMENT
The process by which uranium ore is refined after mining to increase the concentration of fissionable U-235.
FISSION
The splitting of an atomic nucleus into two smaller fragments, accompanied by the release of a large amount of energy.
FLUIDIZED-BED COMBUSTION
A clean-coal technology in which crushed coal is mixed with limestone to neutralize acidic compounds produced during combustion.
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
Radioactive solids, liquids, or gases that initially give off large amounts of ionizing radiation.
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
The use of pressurized water and chemicals to extract natural gas from deep layers of shale.
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
Solids, liquids, or gases that give off small amounts of ionizing radiation.
NUCLEAR ENERGY
The energy released by nuclear fission or fusion.
NUCLEAR REACTOR
A device that initiates and maintains a controlled nuclear fission chain reaction to produce energy for electricity.
SPENT FUEL
Used fuel elements that were irradiated in a nuclear reactor.
SUBSURFACE MINING
The extraction of mineral and energy resources from deep underground deposits.
SURFACE MINING
The extraction of mineral and energy resources near Earth’s surface by first removing the soil, subsoil, and overlying rock strata.