The disposal of radioactive wastes to the sea

The subject is discussed under the following headings:-disposal routes; authorisations; environmental considerations, permissible radiation levels, radioactive background, critical paths; disposal of low level liquids, Windscale discharges, discharges from nuclear power stations, discharges from Winfrith and Dounreay; disposal of low level solid wastes, ocean capacity, operational procedure; possible use of the deep ocean for disposal of high level wastes. All the information is needed before any assessment can be made as to whether disposal routes would be satisfactory from the hazard point of view, let alone acceptable politically. It is concluded that no decision can be reached for many years, but it is pointed out that no decisions are needed for many years. (U.K.)