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The environmental survey work of the ocean nuclear waste dumpsites 

 by EPA was initiated under the mandate of the Marine Protection, 

 Research and Sanctuaries Act (PL 92-532) in order to provide a technical 

 basis for both the development of regulations and criteria and the 

 consideration of future disposal alternatives. In 1974 EPA sent an 

 initial survey team to the Farallon Islands dumpsites to confirm the 

 feasibility of locating the containerized waste packages, and to 

 determine if any measurable amounts of radioactivity could been released 

 into the dumpsites. Using an unmanned submersible vehicle several 

 cannisters were successfully located, underwater photographs were taken 

 to assess the condition of the drums, and sediment samples were 

 collected in proximity to both intact and imploded drums. Low levels of 

 Plutonium 238, 239, and 240 were detected. 



In 1977, two additional surveys of the Farallon Island Sites were 

 undertaken; the first to provide estimates of biologic activity and 

 diversity, and to take samples of the water column and the ocean bottom, 

 and the second to measure ocean currents and attempt the recovery of one 

 of the waste cannisters. 



In the Atlantic Ocean a similar series of investigations was 

 undertaken at the 2800 and 3800 meter sites. A preliminary sampling 

 team went out to the 2800 meter site in May, 1974: in 1975 three dives 

 in a submersible vehicle were made at the 2800 meter site to locate and 

 document the condition of drums and take a variety of sediment, water, 

 and biological samples. In 1976 similar data and a waste canister were 

 recovered from the 2800 meter site for detailed laboratory analysis of 

 canister corrosion and physical integrity, and in 1978, similar samples 

 were obtained from the 3800 meter site and a waste drum was recovered 

 for analysis. 



This Fact Sheet is a summary of information currently available to 

 EPA about these waste dumping activities. It includes: 



1) A history of dumping operations. 



2) A tabular summary identifying all known sites, the types of 

 materials dumped, the licensed dumping agents, and indicating 

 whether or not EPA has surveyed the sites; 



3) Summaries of the survey work which has been done under contract 

 to EPA and in conjunction with EPA scientists; 



4) A list of the principal statutory authorities relating to the 

 ocean dumping of low-level radioactive materials; 



