Ocean Dumping of Radioactive Waste by Russia - October 1996

Ocean Dumping of Radioactive Waste by Russia - October 1996

The dumping of nuclear waste at sea has been a problem in Russia since the days of the former Soviet Union. Approximately 17,000 radioactive waste containers have been sunk in the Barents and Kara Seas, with total radioactivity estimated to exceed 2.5 million curies (Ci). Residues from the decommissioned nuclear submarine "K-27" and nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities have also been dumped, raising concerns about the long-term impact on the ecosystem.

In particular, from the perspective of environmental protection in the Arctic Circle, the surrounding Norwegian government has strongly urged Russia to stop dumping. 11 more reactors were reported to have been dumped into the sea by 1994, despite the 1993 London Convention banning the dumping of radioactive waste at sea. Some of these were sunk while still containing spent nuclear fuel.

The Russian government has announced that it will invest approximately 100 million rubles per year to develop onshore waste disposal facilities, but progress has been slow due to the economic crisis. In response, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Norwegian government have launched the "Arctic Radioactive Waste Removal Project" with support from the EBRD and the Norwegian government.

This problem poses a serious threat to the environment of the entire Arctic region, with diminishing fishery resources and long-term adverse effects on marine ecosystems.