Chernobyl's enduring legacy: 8 years of protective innovations

The Napromieniowani.pl profile reminds us that the dome moved over the Chernobyl power plant remains the largest movable structure built by humans. Today, November 29, 2024, marks the eighth anniversary of placing this structure over the fourth power unit in Chernobyl.

It is worth emphasizing that securing the power plant with the new sarcophagus was not a quick process. The structure was moved over two weeks – from November 13 to 29, 2016. This was mainly because of the size of the construction. The sarcophagus stands approximately 108 metres tall and is about 165 metres long. The span of the shield's arch is also impressive – it measures around 270 metres.

The manufacturer of the sarcophagus, the company "Novarka," ensured the construction's high durability. The structural elements were made of stainless steel, and inside there is a ventilation system that blows warm, dry air over parts susceptible to corrosion. Dehumidifiers inside the gigantic dome maintain air humidity at a level below 40 percent. The manufacturer claims that the dome can withstand a plane crash, an earthquake, and even tornado hits.

Although the sarcophagus over the Chernobyl power plant is designed to secure the remnants of the destroyed reactor for the next 100 years, under the rubble of the fourth reactor there are still several hundred tonnes of radioactive corium and several dozen tonnes of uranium and plutonium. Experts are shielding these remnants; however, a solution has not been determined for how to dispose of what lies beneath the fourth power unit.

Let's recall that the disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant occurred on the night of April 25-26, 1986. In the fourth power unit, a tragic explosion took place, releasing a large amount of radioactive materials into the atmosphere. The chain reaction of overheating in the reactor core led to a hydrogen explosion, destroying the reactor complex and causing a series of fires, which were effectively extinguished only after two weeks.

A cloud of radioactive dust rose over Europe, causing contamination in many regions from Scandinavia to the Balkans. The consequences of this event were immediate and long-term.

Not only humans but also nature in the region around the Chernobyl power plant underwent significant transformations. Radiation levels in the exclusion zone reveal that some animals began to undergo adaptive evolution. Feral dogs and eastern tree frogs in the zone exhibit genetic changes, which may be a response to the high levels of radiation. Research conducted by scientists points to differences in the skin colour of tree frogs, which may be the effect of protective mutations. Similarly, changes in the immune system of wolves have been observed that may increase their resistance to cancer.