Bedtime Facts (50/365)
Natural Nuclear Reactors Have Existed in Oklo, Gabon
Analysis of isotope ratios indicates that there have been several sites of a naturally occurring self-sustaining nuclear fission in Oklo, Gabon. There was significantly less of the uranium-235 isotope in the ore than normally. The proportion of U-235 is remarkably uniform in uranium ores. The Japanese-American physicist Paul Kuroda predicted the possibility of naturally occurring nuclear reactors in 1956. In 1972, he was proven right by the French physicist Francis Perrin who discovered the phenomenon in the Oklo region of the Central African state of Gabon.
The conditions matched those predicted by Kuroda. The conditions in the uranium ore deposit must meet similar conditions as those in an artificial nuclear reactor: 1) There must be sufficient uranium-235, the fissionable isotope, present. 2) There must be a moderating substance present, that is, something that slows down the neutrons that result from an atom splitting sufficiently to cause them to be capable of being causing more atoms to split. That substance is either water or graphite in man-made nuclear fission reactors. In the case of Oklo, that substance was water. 3) The uranium or must be sufficiently thick and have the the right kind of geometry to enable nuclear chain reactions. 4) There may not be neutron-absorbing elements present near the uranium. In the Oklo deposits, all the conditions were met. The water would have been boiled by the heat of the reaction resulting in the cessation of the chain reaction. After some time, water would trickle back and the process would start over. It has been estimated that this cycle went on for a million years.
The Oklo natural self-sustaining nuclear fission reactions took place about 1.7 billion years ago not averaging more than about 100 kW thermal power. The average combustion engine in a modern family car is capable of producing many times that amount of thermal power.
Here Venezuela. nuclear energy is not produced yet. But one thing I am sure of is that in Venezuela there is a lot of Uranium and the Venezuelan government sells it to these ememigo or countries with a lot of conflict.
I was wondering if Gabon has made a good fortune from this natural reserve for their people.
There is uranium mining in Gabon or has been. But oil and timber are much more important sources of revenue. There has been mismanagement by the government according to this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Gabon
I wonder if there are any other naturally occurring radioactive substances we need to worry about.
Radon is another. It results from the decay of uranium. If you build a house on soil that permeates air like sand you should install radon pipes under the house to prevent radon from accumulating in the house. Radon causes an increased risk of lung cancer.
Luckily not much Uranium-235 remains in nature about 0.7% it disintegrates over time.
Yes, it decays faster than U-238 the most common element.
That a bit scary
There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. The process took place 1.8 billion years ago. This is the only known such site. Of course, uranium is such a common element that there might be others that may not know about.
Wondering if we can mine some Bitcoin using all this energy
The reactions stopped almost two billion years ago. The thermal power output in the 17 natural reactors in Oklo put together was the equivalent of one family car driving at a normal highway speed.
Imagine if someone would Nuke that natural nuclear reactor...
It's a boom so huge then everyone poops will be on fire!!!