J1. Submarine Reactor Burials. This trench contains nuclear submarine hulls with defueled nuclear propulsion reactors. When a nuclear-powered submarine is decommissioned, spent nuclear fuel is removed from its reactor, and the section of the submarine containing the reactor is disposed of here. These hull sections, with their thick steel walls, now serve as disposal chambers, isolating from the environment the radioactive waste and toxic lead they contain. Trench 94, Hanford Site, Washington. 12 July 1994.
These photographs by Robert Del Tredici are protected by copyright and are available for purchase as high-quality digital prints on archival paper or as silver gelatin prints from bdeltredici@hotmail.com.