Windscale radiocaesium in the Clyde sea area |
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| Authors: | MS Baxter IG McKinley AB Mackenzie W Jack |
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| Institution: | 1. Chemistry Department, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.;2. Department of Natural Philosophy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K. |
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| Abstract: | Radiocaesium, introduced into coastal waters in the effluent from the B.N.F.L. nuclear fuel reprocessing plant at Windscale, is present at significant levels throughout the Clyde Sea Area. Concentrations reached maximum in April, 1977, and have recently declined. Around 30% of Windscale radiocaesium output passes through the Clyde Sea Area but less than 0.3% remains in sediments. There appears to be no major radiological safety hazard. The radiocaesium is, however, an excellent tracer species for both waters and sediments. The Irish Sea-derived component comprises over 90% of Clyde seawater and may well introduce major inventories of pollutants. The average water residence time in the Clyde system is 4.5 months, although significantly longer entrainment is evident in northern sea lochs. Study of radiocaesium variations has enabled improved assessment of the Clyde's response to marine pollution. |
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