BURY OR BURN - PLUTONIUM - THE NEXT NUCLEAR CHALLENGE

The current worldwide surplus of plutonium presents a difficult challe nge to the global nuclear industry. This paper outlines the sources of the three categories of plutonium and their current and predicted tot als around the world. There is an emphasis on the need for a global st rategy for safely treating and disposing of these increasing quantitie s and a look at the various possible options and how the main countrie s involved are cackling the problem.