Monitoring of radioactive substances in the Baltic Sea (MORS) (2008-2011)

Background:

Radioactive pollution can persist in the Baltic Sea for long periods due to the long residence time of the water in the Baltic Sea. Levels of strontium-90 and cesium-137 are high in the Baltic compared with other seas. The artificial radionuclides in the Baltic originate from nuclear weapons testing, the 1986 Chernobyl accident, and European nuclear installations. Radionuclides have been closely monitored in the water, sediments, fish, aquatic plants and benthic animals of the Baltic Sea since 1984.

Aims:

The objective of the project is to implement the Helsinki Convention on matters related to monitoring and assessment of radioactive substances in the Baltic Sea.  In other words, it aims to measure the levels of artificial radionuclides in the Baltic in order to assess any possible risks. The work is based on HELCOM Recommendation 26/3 and the valid Guidelines and will support the Monitoring and Assessment Group (HELCOM MONAS)

Actions:

Data on discharges and environmental levels of radioactivity in the Baltic Sea submitted by the Contracting Parties to the HELCOM databases are compiled annually.

A periodic assessment on radioactivity in the Baltic Sea covering data up to 2009 will be prepared. The assessment will include levels, inventories and trends for radioactivity in the Baltic Sea and the radiological impact on man and the environment.

Thematic reports will be prepared on a number of issues: naturally occurring radionuclides in the Baltic Sea, releases of man-made radionuclides from non-nuclear activities (e.g. hospitals), simple procedures for assessing doses to man from radioactivity in the Baltic Sea.

Contacts:

Project Manager: Sven P. Nielsen

Risoe National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy

Technical University of Denmark

Radiation Research Department

Building 204
DK-4000 Roskilde
Denmark
Tel: +45 46 775340
E-mail: sven.nielsen@risoe.dk