The behaviour of plutonium and americium in the shoreline waters of the Irish Sea: a review of Harwell studies in the 1980s

In order to make reliable predictions of future doses arising from the plutonium and americium discharged into the Irish Sea from BNFL Sellafield, a thorough understanding of the behaviour of these actinides in the adjacent shoreline waters is necessary. The studies which have been undertaken in order to achieve this understanding are reviewed in the present paper. Descriptions are given of the methods of sample collection, experimental field measurements and their interpretation, including the use of computer-based dynamic models. These indicate the variations in actinide concentrations as a function of time and of distance from Sellafield. The radiological implications are also mentioned. Some areas for possible future research are briefly outlined. (author)