Implications of Soviet and Russian Nuclear Waste Dumping in the Arctic Marine Environment

• Main Author: Canfield, Jeffrey L.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: DigitalCommons@URI 1993
• Subjects: radioactive pollution of the sea; Arctic Ocean; ecosystem management; Novaya Zemlya archipelago; Soviet Union; Russian Federation; nuclear waste; Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment; Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology; Novaya Zemlya
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/ma_etds/363; https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/context/ma_etds/article/1218/viewcontent/Canfield_1993.pdf

This study examines fragmentary information on ocean dumping of radioactive wastes conducted by the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation from 1959 to the present, then assays the impact of this activity in terms of the legal historical, oceanographic and political contexts. Lacking accurate and thorough data on many aspects of the activity, it has been necessary to infer and extrapolate from what is know about the impact of radioactive materials on analogous ocean sites and regimes where radionuclides have been introduced and monitored by other states. Preliminary assessments are provided for the impact on human uses of resources in the affected marine areas and coastal zones and the potential or implementing alternative remediation strategies. The study concludes with reflections on emerging and potential implications for regional and international maritime policy regimes.