Michael A. Champ

Pu, 137Cs and excess 210Pb in Russian Arctic sediments

The activity ratios of Pu and radiocesium isotopes have been used to delineate the major sources (such as global and close-in (debris) fallout, nuclear fuel reprocessing and fabrication plant effluents) in the environment. We have measured 238Pu, 239,240Pu, 137Cs, and excess 210Pb concentrations in 107 surficial sediments as well as in 5 sediment cores collected in the summer months of 1993 and 1994 from the Ob and Yenisey Rivers (Russia) and the Kara sea. A comparison of the sediment core inventories of 239,240Pu and 137Cs, along with the 238Pu/239,240Pu activity ratios, with those expected from global fallout allows us to estimate the relative amounts, if any, of reactor-derived 238Pu and 239,240Pu from the dumped reactor sites in the study area. In surficial sediment samples collected in 1993 and 1994, the 239,240Pu concentrations varied between 4.2 and 856 mBq kg−1, with a mean of 239 mBq kg−1. In samples with a measurable 238Pu, the 238Pu/239,240Pu activity ratios varied between 0.010 and 0.069, with an average value of 0.035 ± 0.014. This range can be compared to the average 238Pu/239,240Pu activity ratio of 0.030 for the year 1993 from nuclear weapons testing and SNAP fallout obtained from soil studies, indicating very little (≤ 5%) additional sources of 238Pu to the sediments in the study area. The inventories of Pu in the 5 sediment cores from the study area varied between 2.67 ± 0.67 and 24.5 ± 2.2 Bq m−2 with a mean value of 8.83 Bq m−2. The 137Cs concentrations in the upper 3 cm of the sediments varied between below detection limit to 71.4 Bq kg−1, with a mean of 14.9 Bq kg−1. The 137Cs inventories in the 5 sediment cores varied between 156.7 ± 28.3 and 1600 ± 153.3 Bq m−2, with a mean value of 583.3 Bq m−2. The mean ratio of inventories of Pu to that of 137Cs, 0.015, is comparable to the values in other places in the Arctic region. There is a significant correlation between total organic carbon and concentrations of 137Cs, 239,240Pu and 210Pb, suggesting that organic matter-enriched fine particles are a likely carrier phase for these nuclides. The ratio of 137Cs/239,240Pu also suggests that most of these nuclides are derived from global fallout.

Trace contaminant concentrations in the Kara Sea and its adjacent rivers, Russia.

Trace organic (chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, PAHs and dioxins/furans) and trace metal concentrations were measured in surficial sediment and biological tissues (i.e., worms, crustaceans, bivalve molluscs, and fish livers) collected from the Russian Arctic. Total DDT, chlordane, PCB and PAH concentrations ranged from ND to 1.2, ND to <0.1, ND to 1.5 and <20-810 ng g(-1), respectively, in a suite of 40 surficial sediment samples from the Kara Sea and the adjacent Ob and Yenisey Rivers. High sedimentary concentrations of contaminants were found in the lower part of the Yenisey River below the salt wedge. Total dioxins/furans were analysed in a subset of 20 sediment samples and ranged from 1.4 to 410 pg g(-1). The highest trace organic contaminant concentrations were found in organisms, particularly fish livers. Concentrations as high as 89 ng g(-1) chlordane; 1010 ng g(-1) total DDTs; 460 ng g(-1) total PCBs; and 1110 ng g(-1) total PAH, were detected. A subset of 11 tissue samples was analysed for dioxins and furans with total concentrations ranging from 12 to 61 pg g(-1). Concentrations of many trace organic and metal contaminants in the Kara Sea appear to originate from riverine sources and atmospheric transport from more temperate areas. Most organic contaminant concentrations in sediments were low; however, contaminants are being concentrated in organisms and may pose a health hazard for inhabitants of coastal villages.

Organic carbon flow in the Ob, Yenisey Rivers and Kara Sea of the Arctic region.

Stable carbon isotope and elemental C/N ratios of the organic fraction of a set of samples along a transect in the Ob and Yenisey Rivers into the Kara Sea in the Arctic were measured. Previously, the concentrations of 239,240Pu and 137Cs in these same samples had been determined. The coupled measurements were carried out to assess possible connectivity between organic carbon flow into the Kara Sea and transport of radioactive nuclides in this marine environment. Organic carbon flow into the Kara Sea is influenced significantly by terrigenous sources carried by the Ob and Yenisey Rivers. The carbon isotope-organic carbon relationship provides evidence that a rich source of terrigenous carbon exists in the riverine system. A weak, but significant relationship between stable carbon isotope ratio and 137Cs suggests that most of the 137Cs is derived from riverine particles, as compared to Pu which is also derived from in situ scavenging within the water column.

The Need for the Formation of an Independent, International Marine Coatings Board

Effective national and global regulations for the use of antifoulant biocides to prevent boat bottom fouling have proven to be far more complex and difficult to achieve than one would perceive for a variety of reasons discussed in this paper. Tributyltin (TBT)-based antifouling boat bottom paints have replaced copper because they were more effective. Currently TBT antifoulant coatings have been estimated to save ship owners over two billion dollars annually in fuel avoidance costs. Nevertheless, at the initial urging of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom, the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently recommended the phasing out of the use of TBT in antifouling paints over the next five years. The case history of TBT is an example of the failure of the marketplace to balance itself such that one technology was so successful that it achieved worldwide application without serious competitive and comparative review. Subsequently its dominance has retarded the development and comparison of other alternatives. There is a concern that replacement paints for TBT may exhibit a new set of unanticipated environmental problems. It is important that history not be repeated. The development of a Marine Coatings Board (MCB) is proposed, associated with MEPC, and funded from the fuel savings by ship owners to promote the development and comparative evaluation (standardized testing) of antifoulant alternatives. A goal of the MCB would be to promote the development and approval of alternatives to toxic antifouling paints containing organotins (as formulated today) in the near future that have comparable environmental and economic benefits as the ship owners have had with current TBT antifoulants. A major activity of the MCB would be the development of a comparative evaluation process, which utilizes standardized protocols to delineate apples from oranges when comparing different technologies or products.

Concentrations of 137Cs, 239,240Pu and 210Pb in sediment samples from the Pechora Sea and biological samples from the Ob, Yenisey Rivers and Kara Sea

Abstract We have measured the concentrations of 239,240Pu, 238Pu, 210Pb, and 137Cs in biological samples (5 isopods, 10 bivalves, 2 amphipods, 2 mussell, 1 fish fat, 6 fish liver and 2 worm tubes) from the Ob and Yenisey Rivers and Kara Sea and sediment samples from the Pechora Sea of the Russian Arctic. Mean concentrations of 137Cs and 239,240Pu in bivalves on which measurable concentrations were found are slightly higher than the values reported for the east, west and Gulf coasts of US. The mean concentrations of 137Cs and 239,240Pu in 27 surficial sediment samples from the Pechora Sea are lower than the corresponding values from the Ob and Yenisey Rivers and Kara Sea. The 238Pu/239,240Pu activity ratios on 16 of these sediment samples varied between 0.015 and 0.056. The best-fit line between the concentrations of 238Pu and 239,240Pu yielded a mean 238Pu/239,240Pu activity ratio of 0.035, suggesting that most of this Pu is derived from global fallout and that there is virtually no detectable input of Pu from either the European nuclear effluents, close-in fallout from the nuclear test sites or from the dumped nuclear reactors in the Kara Sea or adjoining marine systems.

Concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu in Pristine Wetlands of the Russian Arctic

Abstract Background concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu were studied for wetlands from pristine regions of the Russian Arctic: Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago, Vrangel Island, Arctic deserts and tundra of the North Taimyr Peninsula, Byrranga Mountainous Area, tundra zone of Mid-Siberia, North-East Siberia, Far North-East, and Amguemo-Anadyr Mountainous Area. These wetland regions were known to be relatively remote and isolated, with little human population and no local industry. Samples were collected during the period 1976–1993 and included: (a) snow and thaw water, (b) particulate matter, (c) bottom sediments, (d) hydric organo-mineral deposits and hydric soils, (e) polygonal bog peat and sedge-moss peat. Observed ranges for the background concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu in water were 0.001–0.15, 0.02–0.36, 0.05–2.9 and 0.23–6.2 μg l−1 respectively. For (b)–(e) the corresponding values were [0.04–0.46; 1.3–41; 8.6–190; 0.7–63]; [0.05 0.99; 1.5–49; 2.5–153; 2.4–55]; [0.05–0.96; 1.7–44; 2.2–154; 2.0–82] and [0.03–0.83; 1.3–31; 2.1–124; 1.7–68] mg kg−1, dry wt, respectively. Although full assessment of the pristine nature of the wetlands was not possible due to the limited data available, the observed metal concentrations reflect natural geochemical background levels and influence from localized minor ore-deposits present for some regions. In general, there was no evidence of impact from remote industrial regions of the Russian Arctic.

Concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu in contaminated wetlands of the Russian Arctic☆

The spatial distribution of the concentrations of heavy metals Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu were studied for contaminated wetlands located by industrial centres and villages influenced by anthropogenic contamination in the Russian Arctic. For comparison, non-contaminated wetlands were also studied in neighbouring areas. Samples were collected during the period 1977–1994 and included: (a) water, (b) particulate matter, (c) bottom sediments, (d) hydric soils and (e) hummock bog peat and polygonal bog peat. For impacted wetlands, the observed ranges for the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu in water were 0.12–0.8, 0.9–2.5, 2.4–15 and 16–34 μg l−1, respectively. For (b)- (e) the corresponding values were [1.2–5.4; 24–37; 120–320; 80–116]; [6.4–17; 34–59; 240–570; 115–280]; [10–32; 57–78; 315–480; 87–350] and [5.1–53; 51–150; 125–520; 80–440] mg/kg, dry wt, respectively. The metal concentrations were up to 1000 times higher than background levels determined for non-contaminated wetlands in the Russian Arctic. The contaminants appear to be a direct result of localized anthropogenic activity, arising primarily from geoprospecting, the oil and coal industry, and domestic waste.

Assessment of the impact of nuclear wastes in the Russian Arctic

Abstract Concern for nuclear contamination in the Arctic stems from many sources: atmospheric (from global fallout from nuclear testing, or Chernobyl type accidents, marine or ocean current transport, riverine or groundwater transport, biological (migratory species), and ocean dumped wastes. Some of the sources are from quite a distance, such as the radionuclide contamination which enters the Arctic Ocean from the direct discharge of radioactive waste into the waters of the Irish and North seas from western European fuel reprocessing facilities at Sellefield and la Hague. These facilities are maintained by the United Kingdom and France and operate in compliance with international standards. Despite this compliance, and a significant reduction in recent years in the discharge activity levels, these facilities have together discharged over 3 million Curies (Commission of the European Community, 1989). A portion of this discharge is carried into the Arctic Ocean. Concentrations of Cs137 in the Kara Sea appear to have decreased significantly over time in concert with decreases in the European discharge rates. Most of the direct nuclear contamination in the Arctic are from Russian sources over a period of 40+ years associated with the cold war activities, military and weapons productions facilities, decommissioning facilities, operation of the nuclear icebreaker fleet, and wastes from nuclear power plants

Ocean storage of nuclear wastes? Experiences from the Russian Arctic

An international demonstration (RD&D) project for ocean storage of radioactive wastes should be proposed, to study the feasibility of the concept of ocean storage of nuclear waste. This international project should utilize the scientific, engineering and technical capabilities of selected universities, oceanographic institutions, NGOs and industries. This project would need to be an independent (non-governmental) study, utilizing the capabilities of selected universities, oceanographic institutions, environmental NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) and industries. Scientists and engineers first need to conduct an engineering, environmental, and economic feasibility study of the concept. The goal of the project would be to determine if ocean-based storage reduced the risks to the environment and public health to a greater degree than land-based storage. This would require comparing the risks and factors involved and making the data and information available to anyone, anywhere, anytime on the internet. The mere presence of an investigation of the ocean storage option could facilitate scientific and engineering competition between the two options, could subsequently reduce environmental and public risks and provide better protection and cost benefits in the system utilized. One of the primary concerns of the scientific community would be related to the sensitivity and precision of the monitoring of individaul containers on the ocean bottom. An advantage of the land-based option is that if there is a release, its presence could be detected at very low levels and be contained in the storage facility. On the ocean bottom, a release from a container might not be easily detected due to dispersion. Therefore the containment system would have to be a system within a system with monitoring between the two providing greater protection. Ocean storage may have greater technical and political hurdles than land-based options, but it may provide greater protection over time, because it negates the threat of terrorism, it therefore merit further study. In the future if the use of nuclear energy and nuclear wastes increases, the global society could benefit from this international project, because it could reduce environmental and public health risks and promote energy independence.

The future role of quality assurance in monitoring and research in the Antarctic

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of quality assurance (QA), which is a necessary component of environmental quality monitoring. It is not only necessary to ensure that reliable data results within a project, but that the data are also comparable to data resulting from other projects. Elements of any QA program include—testing of candidates analytical laboratories before any actual field samples are collected, training of field team in the proper way to collect and document the collection of field samples, adequate use of blanks, spiked blanks, reference materials (RMs) and the performance of duplicate analysis, participation in a QA program that extends beyond the organization performing the monitoring, and, for monitoring program that subscribes to a performance driven QA program, and method documentation with time. An added QA element is the confirmatory analysis that should be performed by an exchange of sample splits among laboratories participating in the monitoring effort. When all elements of QA/QC are adhered to, laboratory performance is not only adequate for the purpose of producing reliable data, but laboratory performance actually improves with time.