The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine continues its recovery journey after a five-week occupation by Russia. As efforts to restore the plant and its surroundings progress, scientists at the Central Analytical Laboratory are working diligently to rebuild equipment, software, and even planning for future research.
International partners have extended their support to Ukraine, contributing a total of 23 million euros since the beginning of 2023 for the restoration of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant zone. The European Commission, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the US Department of Energy, Norway, the UK, and Germany are among the major donors for this recovery project. The expected total contribution from international partners is set at 225 million euros.
At Chernobyl NPP, specialists have successfully restored radiation control at checkpoints, obtained licenses for radioactive waste management enterprises, partially reinstated computer equipment, and received firefighting apparatus to replace what was previously stolen during the occupation by Russian forces.
Future plans include complete demining of the plant and the surrounding territory, along with the comprehensive reconstruction of the NPP’s exclusion zone.
In a significant development, the reception of spent nuclear fuel from Ukrainian nuclear power plants has recently resumed. Currently, the central storage facility at Chernobyl NPP contains 22,645 cubic meters of radioactive waste, equivalent to the volume of nine Olympic-sized swimming pools. This facility, constructed with technology from Holtec International, will store spent nuclear fuel from three Ukrainian nuclear power plants for 50 years and provide storage capabilities for up to 100 years.
The Central Analytical Laboratory, a unique complex with advanced analytical capabilities, has also resumed its operations. This facility offers services throughout the entire process of handling radioactive waste, including conditioning, burial, and research and development of new technologies.
The State Agency of Ukraine for Exclusion Zone Management estimates that the cost of equipment and software destroyed and stolen from the laboratory during the occupation amounts to six million euros. International partner organizations are prepared to assist in the restoration efforts, but Ukraine awaits the end of the ongoing war to fully utilize their support.
Despite the challenges, scientists at Chernobyl have persevered in their research endeavors, developing new theories and engaging in discussions with the international professional community. Their aspirations extend to creating a Center for the Study of the Peaceful Atom within the Chernobyl zone, conducting various studies such as radiobiological, biological, and even space research.
Ruslan Strelets, Ukraine’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, envisions transforming the Chernobyl zone into a hub for peaceful atom research, decision-making, and implementation of innovative practices. This vision encompasses not only updating the laboratory but also establishing a new scientific platform equipped with modern technologies and world-class specialists.
Within the Chernobyl exclusion zone, the Institute of Nuclear Power Plant Safety Problems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine operates a laboratory that survived the occupation. Olena Parenyuk, a radiobiologist at the institute, conducts research on the potential of the exclusion zone. Chernobyl, with its unique neutron radiation environment, offers ideal conditions for studying the effects of radiation on biological samples.
Parenyuk’s research, focusing on how radiation affects bacteria in the Chernobyl and Fukushima exclusion zones, could have implications for understanding human capabilities, particularly the human brain, and its potential use in preparing for space expeditions.
The exclusion zone presents opportunities for innovative experiments related to space research. By testing the effects of neutrons on the body and exploring hypothetical protective materials, scientists could contribute to addressing one of the main challenges in space exploration—protection from cosmic radiation. Collaborations with entrepreneurs, such as Lembit Sihver, a professor at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, are underway to develop effective protective materials. Olena Parenyuk is collaborating with Sihver and other scientists on a joint project that aims to utilize the unique conditions in Chernobyl for research in this field.
The joint project has garnered attention from esteemed institutions such as the European Space Agency (ESA), Japanese scientists, and specialists from NASA. Although there is no specific timeline for implementation due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Chernobyl’s resurgence as a hub for innovation and experimentation appears promising.
Scientists recognize the potential of Chernobyl’s exclusion zone to contribute to space research. Neutron irradiation, prevalent in the area, poses challenges for human space exploration due to the lack of protection from cosmic radiation. By conducting experiments in the exclusion zone, scientists can gather valuable data on neutron effects on biological samples and test the efficacy of potential protective materials. Two proposed methods include periodically sending biological samples to the International Space Station (ISS) or utilizing a particle gas pedal (hadron collider) installed within the exclusion zone.
Microorganisms present within Chernobyl, even in the spent nuclear fuel storages and the reactor’s sarcophagus, thrive in conditions that are inhospitable to humans. Their unique adaptations to radioactive environments provide insights into biocorrosion and other phenomena. Understanding the behavior of these microorganisms could have implications for future space exploration and human capabilities.
The revival of Chernobyl as a center for research and development is a testament to Ukraine’s resilience and determination to transform a tragic event into a catalyst for scientific progress. While the ongoing war poses challenges, Ukraine remains hopeful that, once peace is restored, Chernobyl will serve as a beacon of innovation, offering modern facilities, cutting-edge equipment, and collaboration opportunities with global scientific communities.
