THE FATE OF RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENT DISCHARGED FROM A.E.R.E. HARWELL INTO THE RIVER THAMES. I. A PRELIMINARY SURVEY
Liquid radioactive waste is discharged into the River Thames from the Atomic Energy Research Establishment Harwell, in accordance with Authorizations granted by the Ministries of Housing and Local Government and of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. A preliminary radiometric survey of the river below the effluent outfall was made to study the fate of this waste. The results showed that a significant amount of the Cs/sup 137/, which is the principal radioactive constituent of effluent, is removed from solution in the river water and absorbed on the river bed. This effectively reduces the concentration of this radionuclide in drinking water derived from the river. Enhanced activity on the river bed persists for many miles below the outfall, but is not sufficient to raise radiation levels in air significantly above background at any point. Concentrations of Cs/sup 137/ in both weed and fish sampled below the outfall are greater than in similar samples collected above, but are well within the permissible levels. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. Research Group. Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, England
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-029535
- OSTI ID:
- 4840600
- Report Number(s):
- AERE-R-3555
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
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