577 



Section 3. Radiological Conditions in Marine 

 Radioactive Waste Disposal Areas in the North and Far East 



Before reviewing the specifics of the radioecological situation in the seas adjacent to the 

 northern and far eastern coasts of the Russian Federation, we should address the organization of 

 radiation and sanitary-epidemiological monitoring in marine RW disposal areas. 



3.1. Organization of Radiation and Sanitary-Hygienic Monitoring 

 in Marine Radioactive Waste Disposal Areas 



Until 1983, monitoring of radiation conditions in marine RW disposal areas was performed 

 by the forces and assets of the Northern and Pacific Fleets. The scope and ft^equency of monitor- 

 ing was regulated by sanitary requirements for disposal of RW at sea, with the most attention de- 

 voted to investigating levels of biologically hazardous radionuclides in seawater, bottom sedi- 

 ments, and commercial and marker species of water life in RW disposal areas. 



Radiation hygiene studies of RW disposal areas were performed using radiation monitoring 

 ships, which were part of the Navy's support fleet and represented modified MRT class fishing 

 trawlers. In technical condition and navigational properties, the radiation monitoring ships did not 

 fully meet the requirements placed on ships for navigation in open seas with difficult ice and 

 weather conditions. For this reason, monitoring could not always be complete. 



More detailed radiological studies of marine areas were carried out during the performance of 

 a series of scientific research studies on the problems of RW disposal at sea in 1960, 1966, 1967, 

 1972, 1980, and 1984-1990 by the Maritime Branch of the USSR Ministry of Defense's Twelfth 

 Central Scientific Research Institute, the USSR Ministry of Defense's 126th State Scientific Re- 

 search Test Area, Roskomgidromet's Typhoon Scientific Research Institute, and the Navy's Cen- 

 tral Medical Laboratory These studies were aimed at assessing possible radioecological conse- 

 quences and developing optimal conditions for discharge of liquid and dumping of solid RW by 

 nuclear vessels and ships at sea at high latitudes with severe ice conditions, in coastal and non- 

 coastal waters, and at Naval bases. 



Before areas designated for discharge and dumping of waste began to be used, preoperational 

 radiation inspections were conducted according to special programs including determination of 

 radionuclide activity in seawater, commercial water life, and bottom sediments. 



With the implementation of the PS-82 regulations specifying procedures for issuing approvals 

 to dump RW at sea, monitoring of radiation conditions in RW discharge and dumping areas began 

 to be performed by the forces and assets of Goskomgidromet, and in water areas of basing, refuel- 

 ing and repair areas for nuclear- powered ships, by radiation safety services of ship formations or units. 



Radiation inspection of seas used for RW disposal was performed by Goskomgidromet in a 

 series of expeditions by research vessels. In 1975, the Navy hydrographic ship Abkhaziya per- 

 formed a radiation inspertion of the Sea of Japan. In 1982, the research icebreaker Otto Shmidt 

 performed a radiation inspection of the Kara Sea. In 1992, a joint Russian-Norwegian expedition 

 on Roskomgidromet 's WW Viktor Buynitshy performed a radioecological inspection of the Bar- 

 ents and Kara Seas (Fig. 10). 



An expedition plaiuied for 1992 by Roskomgidromet and the Navy to inspect SRW disposal 

 areas in the bays and inlets of the eastern coast of the islands of Novaya Zemlya did not occur 

 through the Navy's fault. 



35 



