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Related Concept Videos

Nuclear Transmutation03:20

Nuclear Transmutation

Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one nuclide into another. It can occur by the radioactive decay of a nucleus, or the reaction of a nucleus with another particle. The first manmade nucleus was produced in Ernest Rutherford’s laboratory in 1919 by a transmutation reaction, the bombardment of one type of nuclei with other nuclei or with neutrons. Rutherford bombarded nitrogen-14 atoms with high-speed α particles from a natural radioactive isotope of radium and observed protons being...
Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium01:25

Microbial Bioremediation of Uranium

Microorganisms play a critical role in the transformation and immobilization of uranium in contaminated environments through four main pathways: bioreduction, biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biomineralization. These mechanisms reduce uranium’s toxicity and prevent its migration through groundwater systems, offering sustainable approaches for in situ bioremediation.Bioreduction of UraniumBioreduction is driven by anaerobic bacteria such as certain strains of Geobacter and Shewanella, which use...
Nuclear Stability03:18

Nuclear Stability

Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10−15 meters, a nucleus is quite small compared to the radius of the entire atom, which is about 10−10 meters. Nuclei are extremely dense compared to bulk matter, averaging 1.8 × 1014 grams per cubic centimeter. If the earth’s density were equal to the average nuclear density, the earth’s radius would be only about 200 meters.
To hold positively charged protons together in the...
Nuclear Fission02:50

Nuclear Fission

Many heavier elements with smaller binding energies per nucleon can decompose into more stable elements that have intermediate mass numbers and larger binding energies per nucleon—that is, mass numbers and binding energies per nucleon that are closer to the “peak” of the binding energy graph near 56. Sometimes neutrons are also produced. This decomposition of a large nucleus into smaller pieces is called fission. The breaking is rather random with the formation of a large number of different...
Nuclear Power02:36

Nuclear Power

Controlled nuclear fission reactions are used to generate electricity. Any nuclear reactor that produces power via the fission of uranium or plutonium by bombardment with neutrons has six components: nuclear fuel consisting of fissionable material, a nuclear moderator, a neutron source, control rods, reactor coolant, and a shield and containment system.
Nuclear Fuels
Nuclear fuel consists of a fissile isotope, such as uranium-235, which must be present in sufficient quantity to provide a...
Nuclear Fusion02:45

Nuclear Fusion

The process of converting very light nuclei into heavier nuclei is also accompanied by the conversion of mass into large amounts of energy, a process called fusion. The principal source of energy in the sun is a net fusion reaction in which four hydrogen nuclei fuse and ultimately produce one helium nucleus and two positrons.
A helium nucleus has a mass that is 0.7% less than that of four hydrogen nuclei; this lost mass is converted into energy during the fusion. This reaction produces about...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Removal of Trace Elements by Cupric Oxide Nanoparticles from Uranium In Situ Recovery Bleed Water and Its Effect on Cell Viability
09:23

Removal of Trace Elements by Cupric Oxide Nanoparticles from Uranium In Situ Recovery Bleed Water and Its Effect on Cell Viability

Published on: June 21, 2015

The end of cheap uranium.

Michael Dittmar1

  • 1Institute of Particle Physics, ETH, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland. Michael.Dittmar@cern.ch

The Science of the Total Environment
|May 21, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Global uranium mining is projected to peak soon and decline significantly by 2030. This decline may lead to nuclear power supply shortages, suggesting a nuclear energy phase-out is necessary.

Area of Science:

  • Nuclear energy resources
  • Geological resource extraction
  • Energy policy analysis

Background:

  • Historical uranium mining data indicate limited extraction efficiency, typically 50-70% of deposits.
  • Recent Canadian and Australian mining data inform a new model for uranium deposit extraction.
  • This model estimates an average deposit extraction lifetime of 10±2 years.

Observation:

  • Global uranium mining is projected to peak around 2015 at approximately 58±4 ktons.
  • Production is forecast to decline to 54±5 ktons by 2025 and 41±5 ktons by 2030.
  • These projected levels are insufficient to fuel existing and planned nuclear power plants for the next 10-20 years.

Findings:

  • Supply shortages are likely even with a slow nuclear energy phase-out scenario (1%/year until 2025).
Keywords:
Depletion profilesExisting and future uranium minesUranium mining

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  • The current era of inexpensive uranium supply is nearing its end.
  • Future uranium costs may become unaffordable for some nations, potentially causing involuntary nuclear phase-outs.

    • Implications:

    • A worldwide nuclear energy phase-out is suggested to preempt supply crises.
    • Failure to voluntarily phase out nuclear power may result in involuntary, potentially chaotic, energy disruptions.
    • Countries unable to afford uranium fuel may face widespread power outages.