Origin and Management of Radioactive Substances in the Marine Environment

Abstract

Artificial radioactive substances have been introduced into the marine environment by various human activities since the beginning of the nuclear age in the 1940ties. Sources are atmospheric nuclear weapon tests, dumping of radioactive wastes, authorised discharges from the nuclear industry, as well as accidental releases, such as the Windscale fire in 1957, the accident at Chernobyl in 1986, and Fukushima Daiichi in 2011. Military activities and losses of nuclear submarines are also an important input of radioactive material to the marine environment. The following chapter will give a short introduction to some of the most relevant sources and discuss the radiological consequences to biota and man. It will also give a brief overview of pertinent management measures.