Radiological assessment of the Esk Estuary

An assessment has been carried out of the radiological impact of artificial radionuclides in the Esk estuary in Cumbria, UK. Measurements were made of the distributions of 137Cs, 239+240Pu, and 241Am in water, surface bed sediments and core profiles. The highest measured concentrations in surface sediments were 2.8 Bq g-1 of 137Cs, 3.1 Bq g-1 of 239+240Pu and 4.7 Bq g-1 of 241Am. These values represent significant decreases from similar measurements made in 1970-1980. The measured behaviour of the actinides in low salinity water at the head of the estuary supports previous observations of actinide remobilisation from the bed. A model has been developed which simulates the long-term behaviour of radioactivity in the estuary. The model incorporates representations of tidal mixing, sediment transport, seasonal and long-term sediment accretion. The model also represents long-term build-up in salt marsh regions. The model gives good agreement with measured distributions of 137Cs, but tends to underestimate actinide concentrations by factors of 2-3. Dose calculations show the importance of radionuclide uptake through livestock grazing sea-washed pasture alongside the estuary. 137Cs and 241Am are identified as the most important radionuclides considered in the assessment. (Author)