Over 200,000 radioactive waste barrels were dumped in the deep Atlantic, but recent research shows they may be leaking, threatening marine ecosystems.
Radioactive waste dumped in deep Atlantic
Between 1946 and 1990, more than 200,000 barrels containing radioactive waste were dumped into the North-East Atlantic, at depths beyond the reach of conventional submarines. This practice was based on the belief that the extreme depth would isolate the waste from the environment.Mission reveals damaged barrels
A research mission called NODSSUM, led by the CNRS and Ifremer, used an autonomous underwater robot named UlyX to map 163 square kilometers of the seabed. The mission identified approximately 3,355 radioactive barrels out of more than 3,600 detected, many of which showed signs of corrosion and leakage.Evidence of radioactivity found
A follow-up expedition using the submarine Nautile found radioactivity levels higher than normal in the area. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that the deep ocean could safely contain radioactive waste without any environmental impact.Deep sea environment not inert
The deep seabed is not a static or inert environment. It supports life, has slow-moving currents, and undergoes chemical changes over time. These factors can contribute to the degradation of metal barrels and the eventual release of their contents.Risks to abyssal ecosystems
The findings from the NODSSUM mission suggest that the barrels are not as intact as previously thought. Some show signs of leakage, and the presence of elevated radioactivity raises concerns about the potential spread of radioactive elements and the risks they pose to deep-sea ecosystems.
