In the abysses ofNortheastern Atlantic Oceanbetween 3,000 and 5,000 meters deep, they lie beyond 200,000 barrels of radioactive waste. They have been there for decades, downloaded from European countries between 1946 and 1990. Now, after almost 80 years, an international team of scientists prepares to explore these forgotten places, to map the area e study the long -term effects on the marine ecosystem.
The goal of the project
From 15 June a group of researchers has sailed to the Atlantic Abissal Plane, as part of the project Nodssum (Nuclear Ocean Dump Site Survey Monitoring). Shipping is the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), flanked by institutions such as IFREmer and nuclear security authority (ASNR). The goal is not to recover the barrels, but analyze their condition in situwith the help of robotic vehicles.
Exploration with underwater robots
The robot Ulyxbelonging to the French oceanographic fleet, will be the protagonist of the investigation. Thanks to his high resolution Sonar, he will fly about 70 meters from the seabed for Identify the barrelsapproaching up to 10 meters for photograph them and select the points from which to withdraw Water, sediments and marine fauna.
The containers, originally sealed with bitumen or cementhold radioactive materials such as Industrial sludge, contaminated metal parts and laboratory tools.
The risks still present
According to the declarations made to the International Agency for Atomic Energy, the contained radioactivity is of low or intermediate level And it would be partly lapsed over time. However concerns persist for the presence of long -lasting isotopesstill potentially dangerous. The search ship is equipped with tools for the measurement of radioactivity And each operation will be conducted in compliance with maximum security.
The data collected could throw new light on the persistence of radionuclides in the oceans and contribute to the development of Most sustainable policies for the management of nuclear waste. A second shipment, with a robot operated remotely or an inhabited submarine, is already under the design phase.
