A survey of monitoring technology for subseabed disposal of radioactive waste

The subseabed is currently being considered as a disposal site for nuclear waste, and if it does become an option, monitoring to detect escape of the disposed material will be essential. In this paper, the authors define types of nuclear waste and present the dimensions of the monitoring problems that would be encountered in ocean disposal. The authors then summarize the characteristics of a number of physical, chemical, biological, and ecological monitoring methods. The authors describe the advances and developments that will be necessary before the monitoring functions and support systems can be employed. (orig.)