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• Trends for treatment of radioactive wastes are discussed. • Methods and trends for immobilization of radioactive wastes are highlighted. • Characterization techniques for immobilized wastes forms are illustrated. • Detection mechanisms for radioactive chemical transformation are discussed. • Future challenges and scopes of radioactive wastes are elucidated. The sustainable management of radioactive waste remains a critical challenge amid the global expansion of nuclear energy. Although nuclear power offers a reliable and low carbon energy source, its radioactive byproducts, if inadequately managed, pose significant environmental and public health risks. This review provides an integrated assessment of current and emerging strategies for radioactive waste management, encompassing waste minimization, treatment, immobilization, and characterization. Emphasis is placed on the hierarchical framework of waste management, which prioritizes reduction, recycling, and reuse over final disposal. The paper further examines recent advancements in waste characterization, including real-time monitoring, advanced imaging, and artificial intelligence, which together enhance spatial radionuclide mapping and predictive modeling of waste form behavior. Beyond technological innovation, the review underscores the importance of robust policy frameworks and active public engagement to ensure transparency, social acceptance, and regulatory coherence. By promoting adaptive, science based, and participatory approaches, the nuclear sector can advance safer and more sustainable pathways for radioactive waste management.
Ngulimi et al. (Sat,) studied this question.