Overview
Neptunium is a synthetic actinide produced by neutron capture in reactors and studied for nuclear science and waste considerations.
Properties
It exhibits multiple oxidation states and complex aqueous chemistry, with radiological properties relevant to fuel cycles and waste.
Occurrence and Uses
Primarily a reactor byproduct, neptunium has limited research uses and is important in considerations of long term nuclear waste behavior.
Isotopes and Safety
Neptunium 237 is long lived and radiotoxic; management focuses on containment, monitoring and minimizing environmental release from nuclear facilities.