Abstract
During the period from 1995 to 2011, radiocarbon measurements from the coast around Hartlepool in NE England have revealed anomalous enrichments in seawater, sediment, and marine biota. These cannot be explained on the basis of atomic weapons testing or authorized nuclear industry discharges, including those from the nearby advanced gas-cooled reactor. Enhanced 14C-specific activities have also been observed since 2005 in biota during routine monitoring at Hartlepool by the Food Standards Agency, but are reported as “likely” originating from a “nearby non-nuclear source.” Studies undertaken in Hartlepool and Teesmouth during 2005 and 2011 suggest that the 14C discharges are in the vicinity of Greatham Creek, with activity levels in biota analogous to those measured at Sellafield, which discharges TBq activities of 14C per annum. However, if the discharges are into Greatham Creek or even the River Tees, it is proposed that they would be much smaller than those at Sellafield and the high specific activities would be due to much smaller dilution factors. The discharge form of the 14C remains unclear. The activity patterns in biota are similar to those at Sellafield, suggesting that initial inputs are dissolved inorganic carbon (DI14C). However, the mussel/seaweed ratios are more akin to those found around Amersham International, Cardiff, which is known to discharge 14C in an organic form. 14C analysis of a sediment core from Seal Sands demonstrated excess 14C to the base of the core (43–44 cm). 210Pb dating of the core (0–32 cm) produced an accumulation rate of 0.7 g cm−2 yr−1, implying that 14C discharges have occurred from the 1960s until the present day.
Highlights
In 1995, the Management Committee of the UK nuclear industry commissioned Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC) to survey radiocarbon activities in the UK coastal marine environment (Cook et al 1998)
Studies undertaken in Hartlepool and Teesmouth during 2005 and 2011 suggest that the 14C discharges are in the vicinity of Greatham Creek, with activity levels in biota analogous to those measured at Sellafield, which discharges TBq activities of 14C per annum
If the discharges are into Greatham Creek or even the River Tees, it is proposed that they would be much smaller than those at Sellafield and the high specific activities would be due to much smaller dilution factors
Summary
In 1995, the Management Committee of the UK nuclear industry commissioned SUERC to survey radiocarbon activities in the UK coastal marine environment (Cook et al 1998). The purpose of this investigation was to determine the background 14C level (from natural production and weapons testing fallout) in marine biota (mussels, crabs, flatfish, and roundfish) and the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) component of seawater, to determine accurately the influence of 14C discharges from nuclear fuel cycle activities (predominantly from Sellafield, NW England) and other sources such as Amersham International ( part of GE Healthcare), Cardiff, south Wales. The advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGRs) at Torness (SE Scotland) and Hartlepool (NE England) (Figure 1) were identified as potential sources for this 14C excess
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