In revising the definition of high level radioactive waste unsuitable for dumping at sea, calculations of water concentrations in and near a dump site have been made and used to estimate doses to 'typical' marine species living at or near the sea floor at a depth of 4000 m. These calculations show that there are radionuclides that can give rise to significant doses to these typical species and that future revisions of the Definition and Recommendations under the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter will have to consider impacts on the marine ecosystem in setting limits for dumping.
The goal of this book is to examine the complex state of radioactivity in the environment, and to understand the interplay of its two principal sources: man-made and natural. The text examines human contributions to release of radionuclides, with an eye to future reductions, and assesses natural occurrences in an evaluation of baseline radioactivity.
The marine environment, in addition to a not insignificant background of “natural” radioactivity, has continued to receive inputs of radionuclides directly or indirectly through atomic fallout, discharges from the nuclear industry or from nuclear accidents. After their introduction, the fate of these radionuclides is complex with modifications of physicochemical forms, dispersion in marine water masses and adsorption onto sedimentary particles. Marine organisms then bioaccumulate these radionuclides to a greater or lesser extent, dispersing them via their burrowing activities, horizontal and vertical migrations or through food webs. All of these phenomena lead to very variable radioactive contamination, depending on location and the nature of the marine environments concerned, and consequently, to very different doses of irradiation to marine organisms. The harmful effects of ionizing radiation on living marine organisms are felt at varying levels of biological organization from the molecule to the ecosystem, passing through the cell, the organ, the individual and the population. In the end, the radioactive risk for marine organisms can decline according to several situations, which can be normal, programmed or accidental.
Major advancement in the U-Th measurement techniques since the 1990's have resulted in new opportunities for the use of these nuclides to probe into aquatic processes in greater detail. U-Th Series Nuclides in Aquatic Systems provides state-of-the-art reviews on the applications of U-Th series nuclides to "time" and "tag" in a variety of processes occurring in aquatic systems. - State of art reviews on the applications of U-Th Series nuclides to 'time'and 'tag' key processes occurring in aquatic systems. - Self-contained, each chapter presents nuclide source functions, processes regulating their distributions and models used to describe them - Emphasizes current thinking in the field and future directions
The Radioactivity in the Environment Series addresses the key aspects of this socially important and complex interdisciplinary subject. Presented objectively and with the ultimate authority gained from the many contributions by the world's leading experts, the negative and positive consequences of having a radioactive world around us is documented and given perspective. In a world in which nuclear science is not only less popular than in the past, but also less extensively taught in universities and colleges, this book series will fill a significant educational gap. Radioactivity in the Terrestrial Environment presents an updated and critical review of designing, siting, constructing and demonstrating the safety and environmental impact of deep repositories for radioactive wastes. It is structured to provide a broad perspective of this multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary topic providing enough detail for a non-specialist to understand the fundamental principles involved. Contains extensive references to sources of more detailed information Provides a detailed summary of radioactivity in terrestrial ecosystems, providing a substantial and essential reference on the subject Discusses lesser-known sources of radiation exposure that provide useful information for those seeking to place environmental radioactivity into perspective
This volume constitutes the proceedings of the Produced Water Seminar held in Trondheim, Norway, in September 1995. Hosted by Statoil Research and Development and IKU Petroleum Research, the seminar was an update of the 1992 seminar of the same title held in San Diego, California (Ray and Engelhardt, 1992). Produced water remains the largest volume waste stream from oil and gas production offshore. In the North and Norwegian Seas, produced water volumes are projected to increase significantly over the coming decades, as oil reservoirs near depletion. These releases are therefore the focus of continuing environmental concern. The purpose of this seminar was to provide a forum for scientists, legislators, and industrial and environmental representatives to share recent information and research results, and to encourage cooperative pursuit of solutions in the future. The success of the seminar, and the quality of this volume, are due in large part to the many authors from around the world who presented almost 50 posters and papers focused on environmental issues and mitigation technologies. In addition, we wish to acknowledge the contributions of the local and international organizing committees. Local Committee Asbj0fg 0verli and Heidi Torp, Statoil Egil Wanvik and Laila S. Olden, IKU Petroleum Research International Committee James P. Ray, Shell Chemical and Petroleum Products Companies Alexis E. Steen, American Petroleum Institute Theodor C. Sauer, Battelle Ocean Sciences Steven A. Flynn, British Petroleum Martin C. Th. Scholten, TNO Kjell Lohne, Statoil Ingvild Martinsen, Norwegian Pollution Control Authority.
First published in 1981 as the Offshore Information Guide this guide to information sources has been hailed internationally as an indispensable handbook for the oil, gas and marine industries.
Examines enviromental and human health impacts from wastes dumped in Arctic and North Pacific regions, from nuclear contaminants discharged into these environments, and from radioactive releases from both past and future nuclear activities in region.
