The Nuclear Fuel Cycle: A Role for Mineralogy and Geochemistry

As the world faces the consequences of global warming caused by the use of fossil fuels, there has been a resurgence of interest in nuclear power. However, there is no “silver bullet,” and each energy-producing system produces waste. This issue of Elements shows the importance of mineralogy and geochemistry in the safe management and disposal of the different types of waste generated by the nuclear fuel cycle.