131 



Definitions: A&E = ammunition and explosives; N.A.=not avail- 

 able; DU=Detonate(i unintentionally; SDW=sunk in deep water; 

 D=detonated; S=sunk at less than 4,000 feet and did not detonate 



as planned; A&C = ammunition and cylinders contaminated with 

 residues of GB nerve gas. 



Liquid and solid radioactive wastes which 

 have been dumped in the ocean are usually 

 in concrete-filled metal drums or containers. 

 Table 10 summarizes the amounts of these 

 wastes disposed of at sea. 



The quantities of radioactive materials dis- 

 posed of at sea have decreased dramatically 

 for several reasons. First, in 1960 the Atomic 

 Energy Commission placed a moratorium on 

 new licenses for disposal of radioactive wastes 

 in the ocean. Only one commercial organiza- 

 tion (which has never conducted any sea dis- 

 posal), two Government agencies, and one 

 university are still authorized to dispose of 

 radioactive wastes in the ocean. Second, the 

 major contractors of the AEC have not dis- 

 posed of any wastes at sea since 1962. And 

 for economic reasons, those firms with licenses 



are phasing out sea disposal of radioactive 

 wastes in favor of land disposal. 



Table 10. — Radioactive Wastes: Historical Trends, 

 19J,6-1970 (70) 



