Radioactive contamination at dumping sites for nuclear waste in the Kara Sea. Results from the Russian-Norwegian 1993 expedition to the Kara Sea

摘要

During the 1993 Joint Russian-Norwegian Expedition to the Kara Sea, three dumping sites for nuclear waste were investigated: Tsivolky Bay, Stepovogo bay, and an area in the open Kara Sea (Novaya Zemlya Trough). Dumped waste was localized and inspected in the Tsivolky Bay and in the Stepovogo Bay using side scanning sonar and underwater camera. Samples of waters, sediments and biota were collected at nine stations and later analyzed for several radionuclides (gamma-emitters, Sr-90, Pu-238, Pu-239, Pu-240, and Am-241). Radiation doses from the existing contamination are negligible. Radioactive contamination outside these areas is similar to the activity levels in the open Kara Sea. 46 refs. (Atomindex citation 26:071086)