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Enhanced levels of 226Ra radiation in sea water and sediment caused by discharges of produced water on the Norwegian Continental Shelf

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2009

H. Rye
Affiliation:
The Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research (SINTEF), 7465 Trondheim, Norway
M. Reed
Affiliation:
The Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research (SINTEF), 7465 Trondheim, Norway
I. Durgut
Affiliation:
The Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research (SINTEF), 7465 Trondheim, Norway
D. Ø. Eriksen
Affiliation:
Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), Instituttveien 18, 2007 Kjeller, Norway
R. Sidhu
Affiliation:
Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), Instituttveien 18, 2007 Kjeller, Norway
E. Strålberg
Affiliation:
Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), Instituttveien 18, 2007 Kjeller, Norway
K. I. Iden
Affiliation:
Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), Instituttveien 18, 2007 Kjeller, Norway
T. Ramsøy
Affiliation:
Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), Instituttveien 18, 2007 Kjeller, Norway
K. Hylland
Affiliation:
Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadaleen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
A. Ruus
Affiliation:
Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadaleen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
O. Røyset
Affiliation:
Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadaleen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway
M. H.G. Berntsen
Affiliation:
National Institute for Nutrition and Seafood Research (NIFES), PO Box 2029 Nordnes, Bergen, Norway
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Abstract

A numerical model has been applied to simulate the fate of 226Ra radionuclides in the ocean, generated from discharges of produced water in the Norwegian Sector of the North Sea. The model simulates the transport, dilution and the (possible) deposition on the sea floor of 226Ra. Figures are presented for the concentration levels and deposition rates of 226Ra in the ambient for various assumptions for the fate of the 226Ra in the ocean (as dissolved, as adsorbed to ambient organic particles that sink down on the sea floor, and as forming Ba(Ra)SO4 particles). Concentration levels and deposition rates are compared with natural levels and fluxes of 226Ra in the ocean and to the sediment, respectively. The added concentration levels/fluxes are found to be generally relatively small, compared to natural levels/fluxes. The reason for this is attributed to the presence of fairly high natural levels/fluxes of 226Ra.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2009

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References

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Rye, H., I. Durgut, M. Reed and M.K. Ditlevsen: Enhanced levels of 226Ra radiation in sea water and sediment caused by discharges of produced water on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. 2nd Draft report. SINTEF draft report dated 1 February 2008. Available by mail to henrik.rye@sintef.no