Chronicling eight years under Chernobyl's protective dome
"Exactly 8 years ago, a new sarcophagus was slid over the old one covering the fourth power unit of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant," reads the Napromieniowani.pl profile on Facebook. It is the largest movable structure in the world built by humans.
The Napromieniowani.pl profile reminds us that the dome slid over the Chernobyl power plant remains the largest movable structure built by humans. Today, 29 November 2024, marks the eighth anniversary of placing this structure over the fourth power unit in Chernobyl.
The sarcophagus was moved over the power plant for two weeks
It is worth emphasising that securing the power plant with the new sarcophagus was not a process completed quickly. The structure was moved over two weeks – from 13 to 29 November 2016. This was mainly due to 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, measuring 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 enormous 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.
Radioactive materials still lie in Chernobyl
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.
The Chernobyl disaster
Let's recall that the disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant occurred on the night of 25-26 April 1986. In the fourth power unit, a tragic explosion took place, which resulted in the release of 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 that 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 experienced 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.
