Sea to land transfer of radionuclides

Potential transport of radionuclides back to land after their release to sea in aqueous effluents has been given consideration in this chapter. This attention has developed following studies in coastal strips close to the Cap de La Hague reprocessing plant in France and close to the Sellafield Works in Cumbria, UK. In the context of radionuclides, attention is directed towards transfer of the actinide elements, especially plutonium. In order to assess the significance of this route for the actinides, information is considered that has been obtained for a variety of other elements, including contaminants other than radionuclides. (Auth.)