[en] This paper discusses the practice and assessment of the ocean dumping of low-level radioactive wastes. It describes the international and multilateral regulatory framework, the sources, composition, packaging and rate of dumping and, in particular, the recent radiological assessment of the only operational disposal site in the northeast Atlantic. The paper concludes with a discussion of future ocean disposal practices for radioactive wastes, and the application of the approach to the dumping of non-radioactive contaminants in the ocean. 39 refs., 1 fig., 4 tabs

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[en] This paper outlines the history and regulation of sea dumping of packaged low-level radioactive waste in the ocean. The procedures by which dumping limits are established and periodic safety evaluations conducted under international auspices are described. Particular reference is made to recent negotiations on the future of the practice within the London Dumping Convention and the role played by Canada in this forum, and in others relevant to this subject

[en] In 1991 ministers from eight Arctic countries committed themselves to the establishment of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP). AMAP was asked to prepare regular State of the Arctic Environment Reports. This paper describes the background, methods and table of contents of the radioactivity section of the State of the Arctic Environment Report, being prepared for presentation to the ministers from the eight Arctic countries in 1996. 2 refs

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[en] In 1987, Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Waste and Other Matter (London, 1972) requested the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to review and summarize, inter alia, available information on estimates of risks to human well-being from 'disposals and disseminations of potentially hazardous substances' in the marine environment. This study was conducted, following the non-binding moratorium on dumping at sea of low level radioactive waste, to support and evaluation of the wider scientific, political and social issues associated with the dumping of radioactive waste in the ocean. In this paper communal harm and individual risks associated with the induction of fatal cancers by some suspected chemical carcinogens and radionuclides are addressed. Uniform bases of comparison have been developed to estimate communal harm and risks from both sources of exposures to permit the comparisons of the magnitude of the associated risks. (au)

[en] Canadian work in monitoring radionuclides in seawater is featured against the background of global radionuclide releases, and use of radionuclides as tracers. The Point Lepreau Environmental Monitoring Program has the capability not only to detect releases (small amounts of tritium so far) from that station, but also global releases. This forms part of the work of the Atlantic Environmental Radiation Unit at Bedford Institute of Oceanography. 3 refs

[en] Although the majority of partition coefficients (Ksub(d)s) of elements and radionuclides on marine sediments are in the range of 10² to 10⁷, with 10⁴ to 10⁷ for the elements of group 3 to 7 and period 4 to 7 of the periodic system, such Ksub(d)s are dependent on a number of factors. These concern not only the properties of the element itself with respect to conditions of pH, redox and temperature, but also to the properties of marine particulate matter, seabed sediments and time of exposure. With respect to application of Ksub(d)s in marine geochemistry and environmental assessment a critical review is presented on these factors, indicating the conditions and possibilities of Ksub(d) usage for assessment of water-solid partitioning of elements and radionuclides, with the aim such assessments are applicable to transfer and transport modeling which are (elsewhere) applied for radiological assessment modeling. (author)

[en] A large number of assessments of regional marine areas have been conducted in recent years for a variety of purposes. Periodic reviews of the state of the marine environment have been undertaken by the United Nations Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP). The most recent of these global assessments was published in 1990. The international adoption of a Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-Based Activities in 1995 has led to additional demand for regional assessments and a global review. The regional assessments are either completed or in train largely through mechanisms associated with the UNEP Regional Seas Programme. The global assessment has been assigned to GESAMP and incorporated into its plans for the preparation of a new global review to be completed in the year 2002. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, (IOC) the Scientific Committee for Oceanic Research (SCOR) and the Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) are collaborating in a review of ocean science. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) recently approved funding for a 'Global International Waters Assessment' (GIWA) partly as a means of determining priorities within its International Waters Portfolio. This paper outlines the nature of, and contemporary activities within, these various assessments. (author)

No abstract available