An estimate of the inventory of technetium-99 in the sub-tidal sediments of the Irish Sea.

Published results from earlier studies have provided indications that measurable quantities of technetium-99 ((99)Tc) have accumulated in the sub-tidal sediments of the Irish Sea. This is due to the enhanced discharges from the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant in Cumbria, UK (between 1994 and 2004). Depth distributions of (99)Tc concentrations in sub-tidal sediments have been determined from a limited number of Irish Sea sites, following the collection of deep sediment cores (up to 2 m in depth), sampled in two research cruise surveys in 2005 and 2006.

Solid-solution partitioning of plutonium in surface waters at the Atomic Weapons Establishment Aldermaston (UK).

The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) at Aldermaston (Berkshire, UK) has provided and maintained the warheads for the UK's nuclear deterrent for more than 50 years. Whilst the site is radiologically safe, in a few locations the soil contains specific activities of plutonium (Pu) above background arising from a legacy of historic operations. Run-off water (a mixture of rainwater and groundwater) from part of the site is routed into a water management system, and after analysis and radiological assessment, released into local streams.

Modelling 99Tc concentrations in Fucus vesiculosus from the north-east Irish Sea.

In 1994 there were substantial increases in the quantity of 99Tc discharged into the north-east Irish Sea from BNFL Sellafield (UK), concomitant with improvements in waste treatment procedures. As a consequence, the concentration of 99Tc observed in seawater and biota samples, taken from the Irish Sea coastline, increased significantly. Elevated concentrations were also reported in Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Arctic waters in subsequent years.

Application of a magnetic extraction technique to assess radionuclide-mineral association in Cumbrian shoreline sediments.

An assessment has been made of the association of (239+240)Pu, 241Am and 210Po (in secular equilibrium with 210Pb) with iron minerals using a magnetic extraction technique. Grab samples of beach sand from the Cumbrian (UK) coastline were subjected to successive extractions with an approximately 0.1 T ferrite magnet and an approximately 0.

Accumulation of technetium-99 in the Irish Sea?

An assessment has been carried out to determine the impact of continued (99)Tc discharges into the Irish Sea from the nuclear fuels reprocessing plant at Sellafield. Samples of surface and bottom seawater and sediment have been collected from the Irish Sea and analysed for (99)Tc. The information has been used, together with supporting data, to determine the effect of summer stratification upon the seawater concentrations and to evaluate whether sediments provide a sink for (99)Tc.