consistent with model predictions (FIGURE 3). Indeed, human 

 radiation dosage from naturally occurring isotopes such as 

 polonium-210 in fish are two orders of magnitude higher than that 

 from contaminated sources at present in Alaskan waters (both 

 Arctic and Pacific) . If disposal is controlled in the future, 

 the main risk will be extreme contaminant releases from existing 

 waste sites, particularly along the major rivers. Local sites of 

 elevated radionuclide concentration from dumping and weapons 

 testing have also been identified in the Kara Sea region. 



Pre-existing and new radionuclide data as well as 

 bathymetric, sediment, chemical and physical information are 

 included in a major ANWAP data base project. This database 

 effort is being conducted jointly with the Arctic Monitoring and 

 Assessment Program and the International Arctic Marine 

 Radioactive Contamination Database in Norway, and is jointly 

 funded by the Norwegian government. The database project is also 

 being coordinated with the International Atomic Energy Agency and 

 Korean investigators to prevent duplication and ensure that all 

 date is compatible and accessible to the worldwide scientific 

 community. 



MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 



A major ANWAP goal is to develop innovative monitoring 

 techniques and technologies and an integrated cost-effective 

 monitoring strategy for critical transport and food-chain 

 pathways. While U.S. monitoring efforts are aimed at waters near 

 Alaska, ANWAP is also working with Russian investigators to 

 develop monitoring strategies for Russian coastal waters. This 

 year, for example, a project was initiated to investigate 

 monitoring dumped materials in Stepovogo Bay. 



Research results are being synthesized into an integrated 

 risk assessment for radiological dosage to man and the 

 environment. These new tools enable evaluation of existing and 

 future radionuclide contamination as well as other pollutants. 

 The risk assessment includes consideration of extreme events such 

 as river floods, dam failures, and accidents at civilian power 

 plants and other nuclear facilities. An output of this effort 

 will also be a sensitivity /uncertainty analyses to help guide 

 future research. Factors with the greatest impact on risk will 

 be given top priority for research. 



COMMUNICATION 



A continuing goal of ANWAP and the Navy, as a matter of 

 policy, is to promptly and accurately communicate the results of 

 the research and the final risk assessment to the citizens of the 

 State of Alaska, and the American public and policy makers. The 

 details of environmental studies and all environmental concerns 

 are of the utmost important to the Navy and the U.S. policy. 



