**7. Phytomanagement**

*Assessment and Management of Radioactive and Electronic Wastes*

the tailings.

phytoremediation [45].

results [48–52].

the plant grows.

Phytoremediation factor (PF)

to remove the target element from the tailings.

= (target radionuclide concentration in the plant shoot)/

can be defined as the ratio of target element concentration in the plant to that in

TF can be used as an index for the growth of a target element in the plant and its transfer from the tailings to the plant. If TF for a plant is greater than 1 and the amount of the target element collected in the plant is relatively small, the elimination competence of the plant for that target element can be further improved by a number of breeding practices, and can further implemented in

Different TF values for the plants tissues may be resulted in part from metabolic rate differences between plant species and cultivations [46]. The factors for example the concentration of a radionuclide, pH, plant age, and ecotype may adjust the uptake and ratio of the content of the element present in the plant shoot to that in its root [47]. About 91 tissues of plant species had the TF values of <1, only 9 tissues of plant species had the TF values of more than 1. Overall, it was found that most of the plant species inspected had low experiences of removing U, Th, and 226Ra from the stakeouts to the plant tissues. The results were friendly with the earlier research

In summary, phytoremediation of goal radionuclides from the followings largely depends primarily on three parameters with the radionuclide concentration in the plant, the plant biomass, and the target radionuclide concentration in the investigations. In order to assess the potential of a plant for phytoremediation more broadly, a novel coefficient was anticipated and named as phytoremediation factor [53]. This factor is the ratio of the total amount of a target radionuclide accumulated in the plant shoot to the concentration in the tailings at the site where

 (biomass of the plant shoot Target radionuclide concentration in the tailings). (2)

In this formula, the shoot refers to the tissue above ground of the plant including the seed, leaf, and stalk. The PF can be used as an index for the capability of a plant

The results indicated that PF was agreeable with the plant removal capability. PF extends the conventional definition of hyperaccumulator, and it can easily be obtained. Although the concentration of a target radionuclide in a plant does not fulfill the criteria for a hyperaccumulator, if the plant has relatively high biomass, the plant may also be deliberated as the candidate for phytoremediation. Keeping in view the phytoremediation factor, *P. australis* and *M. cordata* were designated as the contenders for phytoremediation of uranium-contaminated soils [53, 54]. Azolla imbircata was selected as the candidate for phytoremediation of uraniumcontaminated water [55, 56]. *P. australis* was selected as the candidate for phytoremediation of thorium-contaminated soils [53]. *P. multifida* was selected as the candidate for phytoremediation of 226Ra-contaminated soils [54–56]. While PF offers a unique place for identification of a plant proficient in remediating the contaminated by the radioactive nuclides on a large scale, except the plant biomass per unit area. It is essential to consider further research should be executed

 Transfer factor = (target element concentration in the plant)/ (target element concentration in the tailings). (1)

**36**

to improvise this factor.

Waste disposal is dumping waste with no objective of retrieval. Waste management means the whole structure of operations starting with generation of waste and ending with disposal. The per capita use of electricity is correlated to the living standard of a country, whereas, the electricity generation by nuclear resources can be viewed as a least degree of radioactive waste that is produced and the allied scale of radioactive waste management of the country. On the gauge of electricity generation by nuclear fuel, India need to improve a lot. In 2000, India's stake of nuclear electricity generation compared to total electricity generation was 2.65% related to 75% of France which ranks first according to IAEA Report. Hence the magnitude of radioactive waste management in India could be miniscule compared to that in other countries.

As more power reactors come on stream and as weaponization takes profounder routes the needs of radioactive waste management increase. Radioactive waste management has been a crucial degree in the whole nuclear fuel cycle. Low and intermediate-level radioactive wastes rise from operations in reactors retained as sludge after chemical treatment and fuel reprocessing practices.

Solid radioactive waste is compressed, incinerated are subject to the nature of the waste. Underground drains in disposal facilities are applied for solid waste disposal under continuous surveillance and monitoring.

High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are used to reduce air-borne radioactivity. From the last four decades radioactive waste management facilities have been set up at Trombay, Tarapore, Rawatbhata, Kalpakkam, Narora, Kakrapara, Hyderabad and Jaduguda, accompanied by the growth of nuclear power and fuelreprocessing plants [57–63]. Numerous barrier methodology is monitored in solid waste handling in the next flow process are given below (eq. (3)):

Source reduction ➔ Recycling ➔ Treatment ➔ Disposal. (3)

Flow process for management of waste reduction [57].
