The environmental effects of nuclear radiation
The harmful effects of radiation from nuclear bombing.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzFilming Alaska's black bears (Ursus americanus) in their natural habitat.
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© Open University (A Britannica Publishing Partner)Some spiders seem to “gallop” across the surface of water.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Learn more about the life cycle of the 17-year cicada.
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Yurii Zushchyk/stock.adobe.comOverview of the Chernobyl disaster.
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Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, MainzA Japanese woman remembering the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and paying tribute to its victims with water offerings.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Hear Encyclopædia Britannica editor Michael Ray talk about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by the United States on August 6, 1945.
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Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Sequence of events in the fission of a uranium nucleus by a neutron.
Transcript
NARRATOR: As the 20th century began, X-rays were discovered. Soon after, scientists observed that certain forms of radiation, including X-rays, could harm people. At the end of World War II, Japan became the first country to experience a nuclear attack. Both the explosions and the radiation from the weapons indelibly altered the environment.
Today radiation from nuclear energy is regarded as a major environmental concern. Once released, nuclear radiation may remain in the environment for millennia.
Today radiation from nuclear energy is regarded as a major environmental concern. Once released, nuclear radiation may remain in the environment for millennia.