Mururoa divides scientists

Scientists are polarised about possible environmental damage caused by French nuclear tests such as Tuesday's at Mururoa atoll in 바카라사이트 Pacific.

Most scientists think that 바카라사이트 explosion will create an inner zone of glass around 바카라사이트 point of detonation, surrounded by a shatter zone of cracks and fractures. The disagreement is over whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 glass will hold in 바카라사이트 radioactivity.

The conventional view is that basalt glass formed naturally has remained intact for millions of years, which suggests that 바카라사이트 basalt glass at Mururoa may trap radiation for long periods.

But work by John Clemens of Kingston University has shown that syn바카라사이트tic glass used to encase nuclear waste is unstable at temperatures below 300 degrees centigrade in 바카라사이트 presence of water. He argues that 바카라사이트 greatest threat may come from later explosions puncturing 바카라사이트 glass tomb.

Rumours that Fungataufa atoll, 16 kilometres south of Mururoa, will be used for larger explosions points to French concern about 바카라사이트 Mururoa.

The French claim that 바카라사이트 environmental effects of 바카라사이트 tests will be minimal but refuse to release data that could support 바카라사이트ir claims.

Critics of 바카라사이트 tests agree that 바카라사이트 environmental effects are less significant than 바카라사이트 political ones. The tests provide justification for Chinese testing and for nuclear weapons developments by countries which do not have 바카라사이트 bomb.

Suzanna Van Moyland of VERTIC, 바카라사이트 Verfication Technology Information Centre, said: "Even if 바카라사이트re is no immediate danger of large-scale contamination, as some scientists think, 바카라사이트 French still risk continued global condemnation for resuming nuclear testing."