Marine environmental radioactivity surveys at nuclear submarine berths 2008

This report presents the results of the marine environmental radioactivity monitoring surveys of intertidal and underwater areas around nuclear submarine berths which were carried out by Dstl during 2008.

Also included are results of smaller scale intertidal surveys carried out by local staff but coordinated by Dstl.

Cobalt-60, the radionuclide of major importance in naval discharges, was detected in a small number of samples (10 per cent) but in many cases is likely to be attributable to discharges by other operators.

Concentrations in any case were found to be low, and at no survey location did the calculated annual radiation dose commitment to the most exposed members of the general public due to presence of cobalt-60 exceed 1 per cent of the UK legislative and ICRP dose limit for members of the public (1000uSv).

These results are consistent with those obtained in the independent monitoring programmes as reported in the "Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE)" annual reports.

It is concluded that existing discharge arrangements are providing effective control over environmental levels of radioactivity from the operation of nuclear powered submarines.