Working Material of the CEG Workshop on the Investigation of Nuclear Submarines and Objects with Spent Nuclear Fuel and Radioactive Waste Sunken in the Arctic Seas, and Strategies for Ecological Rehabilitation of the Arctic Region. Materials Presented to the Workshop

The CEG workshop was held in Oslo, Norway, on 16 and 17 February 2011. Seventy participants from 12 countries, and three international organizations attended. It was the first large international forum to discuss the problem of nuclear and radioactive objects dumped in the Arctic Seas. The workshop made a detailed review of sunken nuclear submarines, reactors and objects with spent nuclear fuel (SNF) along with containers with radioactive waste (RW). The need to develop a strategy and programme for radio-ecological rehabilitation of the Arctic Region was stressed. Technical capabilities for salvaging of sunken nuclear submarines were demonstrated. The members also discussed the results of previous expeditions to the sunken objects and plans for new expeditions. Objects with SNF located in shallow waters were of primary concern as they were the most vulnerable and hazardous. CEG members noted that the risks connected with spent nuclear fuel on the sea bed will grow with time, caused by the degradation of shielding barriers and structure of the sunken objects. In this regard, the priority should be given to salvaging submarines K-27 and K-159.