NEA Research and Environmental Surveillance Programme related to sea disposal of low-level radioactive waste
Sea dumping operations of certain types of packaged low and medium-level radioactive wastes have been carried out since 1967 in the North-East Atlantic under the auspices of the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. On the occasion of the 1980 review of the continued suitability of the North-East Atlantic site used for the disposal of radioactive waste, it was recommended that an effort should be made to increase the scientific data base relating to the oceanographic and biological characteristics of the dumping area. In particular, it was suggested that a site specific model of the transfer of radionuclides in the marine environment be developed, which would permit a better assessment of the potential radiation doses to man from the dumping of radioactive waste. To fulfill these objectives a research and environmental surveillance programme related to sea disposal of radioactive waste was set up in 1981 with the participation of thirteen Member countries and the International Laboratory for Marine Radioactivity of the IAEA in Monaco. The research program is focused on five research areas which are directly relevant to the preparation of more site-specific assessments in the future. They are: model development; physical oceanography; geochemistry; biology; and radiological surveillance. Promising results have already been obtained and more are anticipated in the not too distant future. An interim description of the NEA dumping site has been prepared which provides an excellent data base for this area (NEA 1983).It includes data in bathymetry, isopycnal topography, local and larger scale currents, sediment distribution and sedimentary processes, hydrochemistry, deep ocean biology and results of radiochemical analyses of sea water, sediments and biological materials. The modelling work is also well advanced allowing comparison of results obtained from different codes. After integration of the models, sensitivity analyses will provide indications for future research needs.
- Research Organization:
- Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development, 75 - Paris (France); Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA); Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Lowestoft (UK)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC06-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 6180883
- Report Number(s):
- PNL-SA-11379; CONF-830523-13; ON: DE83013257
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International conference on radioactive waste management, Seattle, WA, USA, 16 May 1983
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
MARINE DISPOSAL
COORDINATED RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BIOLOGY
GEOCHEMISTRY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NEA
OCEANOGRAPHY
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SURVEILLANCE
CHEMISTRY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
OECD
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage