Over 200,000 drums of radioactive waste, some ruptured, have been discovered on the seafloor of the North-East Atlantic, raising environmental concerns.
Radioactive waste found on seafloor
More than 200,000 drums of radioactive waste have been found resting on the seafloor of the North-East Atlantic, according to a report from the CNRS NODSSUM mission. The submersible Nautile was sent in May 2026 to inspect the waste, which has been buried at a depth of 4,700 meters since the 1950s. Some of the containers have ruptured, releasing their contents onto the sediments. Radioactivity levels exceed expectations
While the measured radioactivity remains low, it exceeds expected thresholds, prompting researchers to investigate whether the abyssal fauna is affected. The findings raise concerns about the long-term environmental impact of the waste, even though the immediate risk appears minimal. Historical disposal of radioactive waste
Between 1949 and 1990, several European countries submerged containers filled with radioactive materials in the abyssal plains. The United Kingdom conducted the majority of these operations, with Belgium and France following. In total, fourteen countries participated in these disposals across different oceans. Location and containment methods
The main area covers approximately 14,500 km² in international waters, between 3,000 and 5,000 meters depth. The materials were enclosed in a matrix of concrete or bitumen before submersion. These methods were intended to provide temporary containment for the radioactive waste. Original intent and long-term neglect
The metal cylinders were intended to provide containment for about twenty years, with the natural decay of isotopes expected to neutralize the radioactivity. This approach relied on time and the ocean to dilute the residues of radioactive waste after degradation. No one anticipated retrieving the barrels once they were placed on the seafloor, according to the French Oceanographic Fleet. International regulations and current efforts
The London Convention, adopted in 1972, gradually restricted ocean disposals, and the practice ceased in 1993. The drums had been resting on the seafloor without any monitoring for decades, and no follow-up program had accompanied the deep-water disposal operations. The Nautile has now begun diving near the waste to conduct further inspections.
