Natural and Anthropogenic Radioactivity in Coastal Regions of the UK

Abstract

The radionuclide contents of a range of coastal marine samples (sediment, sea water, seaweed, mussels and winkles) collected from 15 UK sites have been investigated to provide a perspective on the relative contributions to enhanced marine radioactivity in the UK by the nuclear and non-nuclear industries. Sites typifying high levels of anthropogenic radioactivity (Irish Sea area) were influenced by the authorised discharges from the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant at Sellafield into the northeast Irish Sea. Enhanced concentrations of natural radionuclides were due to: (1) discharges from a phosphate ore processing plant (Whitehaven) and (2) dumping of coal spoil directly into the North Sea (Blackhall Colliery). New site-specific concentration factor (CF) values derived here are consistent with existing literature data except for 210Pb and 210Po, for which the results suggest that the upper and lower values of the currently recommended CF ranges should be extended. Radiologically, the highest potential exposure to the public calculated from the results derives from the ingestion of Whitehaven mussels (3.2 mSv.y-1), the greatest single contribution being from technologically enhanced 210Po.