spent nuclear fuel pool

A spent nuclear fuel pool is a specially designed storage basin where used radioactive fuel rods from a nuclear reactor are kept underwater. The water cools the hot, radioactive material and shields workers and the environment from radiation. This pool provides a safe, contained environment for the fuel to remain for several years after use, reducing hazards while the fuel's radioactivity naturally decreases over time. It’s a critical safety measure in nuclear power plants to manage and store spent fuel until it can be further processed or moved to longer-term storage solutions.