A · Appendix A: Radiological Assessment of Dredging Application for Hinkley Point C Power Station,...
Transcript of A · Appendix A: Radiological Assessment of Dredging Application for Hinkley Point C Power Station,...
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5 09/02/2018 DF D4 Update in response to EDF comments
4 01/02/2018 DF D4 Response to NRW review
3 08/12/2017 DF BJR D4 Response to client review
2 09/11/2017 DF BJR D4 Response to client comments
1 21/09/2017 DF BJR D4 1st Issue
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CONTRACTOR COMPANY NAME Cefas CONTRACT NUMBER DEV024
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Cefas BEEMS Technical Report TR444, HPC intake and outfall location pre- dredge sediment sample analysis results (Marine Licence 12/45/ML)
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Cefas BEEMS Technical Report TR444, HPC intake and outfall location pre-dredge sediment sample analysis results (Marine Licence 12/45/ML)
Dean Foden and Katie Musgrave
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Version and Quality Control
Version Author Date
Draft 0.01 Dean Foden & Katie Musgrave 19/09/2017
Technical QA 0.02 Ralph Brayne 20/09/2017
Executive QA & Final Draft 0.03 Brian Robinson 21/09/2017
Submission to NNB GenCo as
Rev 1
1.00 21/09/2017
Update in response to NNB
GenCo comments
1.01 Dean Foden 08/11/2017
Executive QA & Final Draft 1.02 Brian Robinson 09/11/2017
Submission to NNB GenCo as
Rev 2
2.00 10/11/2017
Update in response to NNB
GenCo review
2.01 Dean Foden 01/12/2017
Executive QA & Final Draft 2.02 Brian Robinson 07/12/2017
Submission to NNB GenCo as
Rev 3
3.00 08/12/2017
Minor update in response to
NRW comments
3.01 Dean Foden 01/02/2018
Submission to NNB GenCo as
Rev 4
4.00 01/02/2018
Minor update in response to
NNB GenCo comments
4.01 Dean Foden 08/02/2018
Submission to NNB GenCo as
Rev 5
5.00
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Table of contents
Executive summary ....................................................................................................................................... 11
1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 12
2 Description of the sediment sampling .................................................................................................. 12
3 Description of the sediment sample analysis ...................................................................................... 15
4 Results ...................................................................................................................................................... 18
5 Discussion ............................................................................................................................................... 22
5.1 Chemical contaminant assessment ..................................................................................................... 22
5.2 Radiological assessment ..................................................................................................................... 24
6 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................. 26
7 References ............................................................................................................................................... 27
Appendix A: Radiological Assessment of Dredging Application for Hinkley Point C Power Station,
Somerset (2017) ............................................................................................................................................. 28
Appendix B: Radiological Analysis results from vibrocore samples acquired in 2009 by Fugro
Alluvial Offshore Ltd using a 6m vibrocorer and analysed by Cefas. ..................................................... 38
Appendix C: Radiological Analysis results from surface sediment samples acquired in 2013 and
analysed by Cefas. ........................................................................................................................................ 39
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List of Tables and Figures
Tables
Table 1 The coordinates of the proposed sediment sampling locations. .................................... 13
Table 2 Analytical method detection limits for metals, organotins and PAHs and limits of
quantification for PCBs. .............................................................................................. 16
Table 3 Results of radionuclide analyses. Values are specific activity in Bq.kg-1 dry weight. ..... 18
Table 4 Results of metals analyses. Values are in mg.kg-1. ........................................................ 18
Table 5 Results of organotins analyses. Values are in mg.kg-1. ................................................. 19
Table 6 Results of PAH analyses. Values are in µg.kg-1 except for THC which is in mg.kg-1. .... 20
Table 7 Results of PCBs analyses. Values are in µg.kg-1. .......................................................... 21
Table 8 Action Levels determined according to contaminant levels.. ......................................... 23
Table 9 Doses predicted by the IAEA generic radiological assessment (IAEA, 2003; 2004) ..... 24
Table 10 Selected parameters used in the generic assessment and (where available) local
parameters for Cardiff. ............................................................................................... 24
Figures
Figure 1 The locations of the proposed sediment sampling. ....................................................... 14
Figure 2 The sampling vessel – the Titan Endeavour. ................................................................ 15
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Executive summary
Surface sediment samples were acquired at the HPC intake and outfall locations (see Table 1 and Figure 1)
for chemical and radiological analysis to determine the suitability of the material for disposal at sea in
accordance with the approved sampling plan under (NRW) Marine Licence 12/45/ML. Samples were
acquired with a Day grab to a maximum sediment depth of 18cm. Chemical analyses were conducted for
polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals, organotins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Radionuclide
analysis was conducted by Gamma counting samples on a high purity Germanium detector, including
detection of man-made radionuclides Cobalt-60, Caesium-137 and Americium-241.and naturally occurring
radionuclides potassium-40, radium-226, thorium-232 and uranium-238.
Contaminant levels measured during chemical analysis were compared with CEFAS Action Levels (MMO,
2015). Cefas Action Levels determine the suitability of dredged material for disposal at sea and two Action
Levels are employed. Each Action Level has an associated suite of contaminants that are routinely tested in
dredged sediment as part of a weight of evidence approach to inform marine disposal licence applications:
Contaminant concentrations that are below those defined for Action Level 1 are not considered to be of
environmental concern and hence are unlikely to influence the disposal options. However, when
contaminants are present above Action Level 2 the dredged sediment is not considered suitable for reuse or
disposal at sea. Between the Action Levels further assessment is required.
The results of the chemical analyses showed that no contaminants were determined to be at or above Action
Level 2 at any sampling station. Slight exceedances of Action Level 1 were detected for PCBs, zinc, nickel,
lead and chromium at all sites. Slight exceedances of Action Level 1 were detected for cadmium and
mercury at sampling station HPCD06 only. Where Action Level 1 was exceeded, the measured
concentrations were significantly below Action Level 2 (by an order of magnitude) with the exception of zinc,
for which the maximum measured concentration was 262.18 mg.kg-1 (at station HPCD11) and the Cefas
Action Level 2 for zinc is 800 mg.kg-1. The results are consistent with previously conducted analyses of
seabed sediment samples from the Severn Estuary where background concentrations typically exceed
Action Level 1 (e.g. chromium concentrations up to 67 mg.kg-1; lead concentrations up to 141 mg.kg-1; nickel
concentrations up to 59 mg.kg-1; zinc concentrations up to 307 mg.kg-1 and PCB concentrations up to 61
μg.kg-1 were measured in sediments collected near the HPC site in 2009 (BEEMS Technical Report
TR186)). There was, therefore, no indication that the sediments were unsuitable for disposal at sea.
A conservative radiological assessment procedure (in line with International Atomic Energy Agency (2004)
guidelines) indicated that:
a. doses received were mostly from naturally-occurring radioactivity;
b. doses were well below recommended limits; and
c. a subsequent more detailed case specific assessment was not necessary.
Under the London Convention, only materials with de minimis levels of radioactivity may be considered for
disposal to sea. Using the conservative generic radiological assessment procedure developed by the IAEA
(IAEA, 2003; 2004), to convert radionuclide concentrations in disposed material into radiation doses due to
disposal, the derived total doses to individual members of the crew and public were 5.8 µSv/year and 1.9
µSv/year respectively. The total collective dose was 0.035 manSv/year. The values for individual members of
the crew and public, and the collective dose, were well within the de minimis criteria of 10 µSv/year
(individual doses) and 1 manSv/year (collective dose), respectively.
The radiological results were consistent with previous analyses of sediment samples acquired in 2009
(BEEMS Technical Report TR186) and 2013 (Leonard et al., 2013). Therefore, there is no radiological
reason that this material should not be disposed of to sea.
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1 Introduction
Cefas was commissioned by NNB Generation Company (HPC) Ltd (NNB GenCo) to collect and analyse
surface sediment samples from the proposed cooling water intake and outfall locations for Hinkley Point C
(HPC) nuclear power station. Construction of the intake and outfall structures requires the locations to be
dredged, and the dredged material to be taken to a designated disposal site. Permission to dispose of this
material in disposal area LU110 (Cardiff Grounds) is granted in Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Marine
Licence 12/45/ML (NRW, 2014). Condition 9.3 of this licence required the submission and approval of a
sediment sampling scheme prior to the disposal of material. BEEMS technical report TR415 (BEEMS, 2016),
outlining the sampling scheme, was produced to satisfy this requirement and was approved by NRW (NRW,
2017). Sediment samples were acquired as per the approved plan in May 2017 and the purpose of this
report is to present the results of the analyses of these samples to demonstrate the suitability for disposal at
sea of the sediments around the HPC intake and outfall locations.
2 Description of the sediment sampling
During 2017, sampling was carried out at the locations marked in Figure 1 and two samples were collected
from each of the intake and outfall areas. The coordinates of the sampling locations are shown in Table 1.
Samples were acquired on the 2nd May 2017.
Sampling consisted of deploying a 0.1 m2 Day grab from a small survey vessel (Figure 2). The maximum
sediment depth sampled by the grab used was 18 cm, and samples were taken from approximately the top
2cm of the sediment surface. The volume of sediment acquired for each sample taken was approximately 3
l. Sediment acquired for chemical analysis was placed in solvent-cleaned glass jars using a stainless-steel
scoop, with approximately 500 g of sediment being retained per sample. Once ashore, the samples were
frozen, placed in insulated boxes and sent by courier to Cefas’ laboratory in Lowestoft for analysis. Sediment
for radiological analysis was placed in clean pots and stored either refrigerated or at room temperature,
avoiding being frozen or exposed to strong direct sunlight.
During previous sediment sampling undertaken off Hinkley Point, surface sediment samples were acquired
in 2013, and surface and sub-surface samples were taken using vibrocoring in 2009 (see section 5.2).
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Table 1 The coordinates of the proposed sediment sampling locations.
Station Zone
Target locations Actual sampling locations Distance of sampling from target (m)
Coordinates (OSGB) WGS84 latitude and longitude Coordinates (OSGB)
WGS84 latitude and longitude
Easting Northing Latitude (°N)
Longitude (°W) Easting Northing
Latitude (°N)
Longitude (°W)
HPCD06 outfall
zone 319130 147604 51.22188 3.15942 319134 147610 51.22193 3.15935 7.2
HPCD07 outfall
zone 319105 147580 51.22167 3.15977 319113 147560 51.22148 3.15963 21.5
HPCD08 outfall
zone 319177 147495 51.22091 3.15872 319176 147487 51.22083 3.15872 8.1
HPCD09 outfall
zone 319205 147520 51.22114 3.15833 319197 147519 51.22112 3.15842 8.1
HPCD10 intake
zone 318475 149030 51.23461 3.16912 318470 149026 51.23457 3.16917 6.4
HPCD11 intake
zone 318440 149000 51.23434 3.16962 318424 148995 51.23428 3.16982 16.8
HPCD12 intake
zone 317985 148877 51.23317 3.17610 317952 148869 51.23308 3.17655 34.0
HPCD13 intake
zone 317994 148822 51.23267 3.17596 317965 148815 51.23260 3.17635 29.8
HPCD14 intake
zone 318145 148670 51.23133 3.17377 318117 148676 51.23137 3.17415 28.6
HPCD15 intake
zone 318180 148705 51.23165 3.17327 318171 148698 51.23158 3.17338 11.4
HPCD16 intake
zone 318620 148820 51.23274 3.16700 318608 148823 51.23277 3.16715 12.4
HPCD17 intake
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Figure 1 The locations of the proposed sediment sampling. Actual sampling locations were all within a maximum of 34 m of the target locations and the mean
difference between target and actual sampling location was 16 m. The 4 HPC intakes are shown in Map 2, the 2 outlets are in Map 3.
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Figure 2 The sampling vessel – the Titan Endeavour.
3 Description of the sediment sample analysis
The acquired samples were analysed for radionuclides and chemical contaminants. Chemical analyses for
polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals, organotins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were carried
out, as well as radionuclide analysis at the Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory. Analyses were carried out for those
contaminants for which Cefas Action levels are published.
Radionuclides
Radionuclide analysis was conducted by Ɣ counting samples on a high purity Ge detector which detects any
activity within the energy range 60 keV to 2 MeV. This report includes results for all radionuclides present
and no further activity was detected for any other radionuclide. Results of the analyses were assessed using
generic radiological assessment procedure developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA,
2004) (see Appendix A: Radiological Assessment of Dredging Application for Hinkley Point C Power Station,
Somerset (2017)). Chemical and radiological analyses were the same as those used for the samples
acquired in 2013 (Leonard et al., 2013).
Metals (partial digestion)
Microwave digestion with nitric acid and analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-
MS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES).
Organotins
Organotins were extracted from the sediment sample, converted into their hydrides using sodium
borohydride, extracted, and analysed by gas chromatography – flame photometric detection (GC-FPD).
PAHs
Analysis for aromatic hydrocarbons was achieved using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
Additionally, a total hydrocarbon (THC) measurement focussing on 2 and 3-ringed hydrocarbons was
performed using UV fluorescence spectrophotometry calibrated with a Forties oil standard.
PCBs
The sediment was dried and sieved to a less than 2mm fraction. The dried sediment was extracted by
soxhlet, the extracts cleaned and analysed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC-
ECD).
The limits of detection and quantification of the analyses to be conducted are shown in Table 2.
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Table 2 Analytical method detection limits for metals, organotins and PAHs and limits of quantification for
PCBs.
Determinant Limit of detection (dry weight basis)
Metals (partial digestion)
Arsenic (As) 0.01 mg/kg
Cadmium (Cd) 0.01 mg/kg
Chromium (Cr) 0.01 mg/kg
Copper (Cu) 0.01 mg/kg
Lead (Pb) 0.01 mg/kg
Mercury (Hg) 0.006 mg/kg
Nickel (Ni) 0.01 mg/kg
Zinc (Zn) 0.20 mg/kg
Organotins
Tribultyl tin (TBT) 2 µg/kg
Dibutyl tin (DBT) 2 µg/kg
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs):
Acenaphthene 0.1 µg/kg
Acenaphthylene 0.1 µg/kg
Anthracene 0.1 µg/kg
Benzo[a]anthracene 0.1 µg/kg
Benzo[a]pyrene 0.1 µg/kg
Benzo[b]fluoranthene 0.1 µg/kg
Benzo[e]pyrene 0.1 µg/kg
Benzo[ghi]perylene 0.1 µg/kg
Benzo[k]fluoranthene 0.1 µg/kg
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C1-Naphthalenes 0.1 µg/kg
C1-Phenanthrenes 0.1 µg/kg
C2-Naphthalenes 0.1 µg/kg
C3-Naphthalenes 0.1 µg/kg
Chrysene 0.1 µg/kg
Fluoranthene 0.1 µg/kg
Fluorene 0.1 µg/kg
Indeno[123-cd]P 0.1 µg/kg
Naphthalene 0.1 µg/kg
Perylene 0.1 µg/kg
Phenanthrene 0.1 µg/kg
Pyrene 0.1 µg/kg
Dibenz(a,h)anthracene 0.1 µg/kg
Total Hydrocarbon Content (THC) 0.1 mg/kg
25 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) congeners (as per IUPAC nomenclature):
CB 18, CB 28a, CB 31, CB 44, CB 47, CB 49,
CB 52, CB 66, CB101a, CB 105, CB 110,
CB 118a, CB 128, CB 138a, CB141, CB149,
CB 151, CB 153a, CB 156, CB 158, CB 170,
CB 180a, CB 183, CB 187, CB 194
Limit of quantification
Per congener = 0.2 µg/kg
Sum of ICES7 = 1.4 µg/kg
Sum of 25 congeners = 5.0 µg/kg
Key = a ICES7 congener1
1 The seven ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) PCBs (CB28, 52, 101, 118,
153, 138, and 180) are routinely monitored and used as indicators of wider PCB contamination due to
their relatively high concentrations in technical mixtures and their wide chlorination range (3-7
chlorine atoms per molecule).
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4 Results
The results of chemical analyses are presented below. The details of the radiological analyses are shown in Appendix A: Radiological Assessment of Dredging Application for Hinkley Point C Power Station, Somerset (2017).
Table 3 Results of radionuclide analyses. Values are specific activity in Bq.kg-1 dry weight.
Analysis Sampling station
HPCD06 HPCD07 HPCD08 HPCD09 HPCD10 HPCD11 HPCD12 HPCD13 HPCD14 HPCD15 HPCD16 HPCD17
60Co < 0.4 < 0.4 < 0.4 < 0.4 < 0.5 < 0.3 < 0.4 < 0.4 < 0.5 < 0.4 < 0.4 < 0.4
137Cs 19.5 19.5 17.9 17.5 14.9 14.7 15.1 15.1 14.8 14.8 12.8 13.7
226Ra (via 214Pb) 23 22.3 21.8 23.2 19.8 21.4 21.7 21.7 21.7 23.1 23.8 22
232Th (via 228Ac) 37.4 37.9 33 32.4 28.9 29.7 28.9 29.1 26.6 28.2 29.5 29.5
238U (via 234Th) 62.2 57.5 66.3 54.3 41.8 48.7 45.8 51.7 48.6 49 46.7 46.8
241Am < 1.46 < 1.57 < 1.42 < 1.57 < 1.68 < 1.12 < 1.38 < 0.59 < 0.62 < 1.41 < 1.52 < 1.36
Note: There are two types of results presented in the table above: (i) positively detected values and (ii) values that were below the Limit of Detection (LoD) or Minimum
Reporting Level (MRL) which are preceded by a ‘less than’ symbol (“<”).
Table 4 Results of metals analyses. Values are in mg.kg-1.
Analysis Sampling station
HPCD06 HPCD07 HPCD08 HPCD09 HPCD10 HPCD11 HPCD12 HPCD13 HPCD14 HPCD15 HPCD16 HPCD17
Arsenic (As) 19.98 16.73 15.30 15.54 16.77 19.06 14.13 18.28 16.17 15.92 15.16 14.26
Cadmium (Cd) 0.46 0.36 0.32 0.32 0.32 0.35 0.27 0.35 0.30 0.32 0.30 0.29
Chromium (Cr) 60.51 57.34 53.03 52.65 54.27 68.49 47.88 59.10 51.94 54.06 49.26 45.75
Copper (Cu) 31.63 27.99 25.27 25.71 24.96 32.16 22.67 27.48 24.82 24.89 23.66 22.08
Lead (Pb) 83.73 74.62 68.38 66.90 65.48 76.80 56.69 73.22 65.58 64.40 61.94 59.92
Mercury (Hg) 0.34 0.27 0.21 0.23 0.22 0.26 0.21 0.24 0.21 0.26 0.21 0.18
Nickel (Ni) 38.41 37.31 35.03 35.12 34.25 44.55 31.25 37.97 35.02 35.35 33.63 31.10
Zinc (Zn) 245.42 227.33 210.02 208.04 203.15 262.18 181.65 232.42 204.87 202.60 193.2 179.85 A - ACCEPTE
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Table 5 Results of organotins analyses. Values are in mg.kg-1.
Analysis Sampling station
HPCD06 HPCD07 HPCD08 HPCD09 HPCD10 HPCD11 HPCD12 HPCD13 HPCD14 HPCD15 HPCD16 HPCD17
DBT <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002
TBT <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 <0.002
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Table 6 Results of PAH analyses. Values are in µg.kg-1 except for THC which is in mg.kg-1.
Analysis Sampling station
HPCD06 HPCD07 HPCD08 HPCD09 HPCD10 HPCD11 HPCD12 HPCD13 HPCD14 HPCD15 HPCD16 HPCD17
THC (Total Hydrocarbon Content)
868 311 394 462 485 483 364 413 469 420 380 413
Acenaphthylene 42.6 16.0 22.1 25.8 24.3 27.1 22.8 22.6 38.8 24.0 25.4 24.0
Acenapthene 92.9 33.7 43.3 51.7 46.2 52.6 42.9 47.3 57.2 49.9 45.6 45.3
Anthracene 223 79.8 103 124 111 130 111 116 234 116 131 104
Benz [a] anthracene 568 202 274 341 290 334 271 270 483 311 306 293
Benzo [a] pyrene 646 245 315 382 340 387 300 327 440 341 347 353
Benzo [b] fluoranthene 879 327 451 506 476 518 402 431 561 465 495 454
Benzo [g,h,i] perylene 601 239 288 344 329 371 278 318 348 305 306 318
Benzo [e] pyrene 666 256 326 391 360 412 321 352 423 359 341 351
Benzo [k] fluoranthene 338 134 183 211 204 218 163 193 259 188 194 192
Methyl naphthalenes 690 256 334 383 405 412 363 376 400 427 470 410
Methyl phenanthrene 972 358 472 531 564 575 527 515 741 580 501 475
Dimethyl naphthalenes 1170 429 570 660 677 715 655 654 695 724 605 545
Trimethyl naphthalenes 1500 558 744 851 972 882 894 926 964 940 834 740
Chrysene 502 209 284 349 306 372 286 321 497 320 289 252
Dibenz [a,h] anthracene 145 54.4 67.0 82.4 74.9 83.4 61.8 71.9 87.2 72.9 72.4 75.0
Fluoranthene 1170 415 553 651 591 675 539 525 1020 621 621 596
Fluorene 220 77 98 112 112 122 97.0 107 142 106 118 113
Indeno [1,2,3-cd] pyrene 770 295 369 441 415 464 344 390 451 391 408 420
Naphthalene 337 125 160 183 191 203 176 183 179 193 175 178
Perylene 280 103 133 153 142 157 121 131 155 134 142 145
Phenanthrene 697 260.0 348 388 392 434 365.0 379 721.0 401 350 343
Pyrene 836 306 406 481 439 504 407 402 733 458 449 445
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Table 7 Results of PCBs analyses. Values are in µg.kg-1.
Analysis Sampling station
HPCD06 HPCD07 HPCD08 HPCD09 HPCD10 HPCD11 HPCD12 HPCD13 HPCD14 HPCD15 HPCD16 HPCD17
CB#28 8.17 6.67 5.52 5.66 5.35 5.65 5.79 4.88 5.22 4.93 5.11 3.40
CB#52 3.11 2.59 2.28 2.42 2.24 2.63 2.93 1.95 2.35 1.92 2.45 1.41
CB#101 2.90 2.51 2.06 2.22 2.17 2.29 2.49 1.95 2.19 1.80 2.10 1.26
CB#118 3.39 2.78 2.27 2.51 2.48 2.37 2.20 2.28 2.51 2.26 2.01 1.56
CB#153 4.68 4.25 3.26 3.71 3.55 3.64 3.43 3.31 3.61 3.10 3.01 2.11
CB#138 5.08 4.59 3.72 4.04 3.68 3.69 3.78 3.53 3.99 3.35 3.11 2.41
CB#180 3.93 3.58 2.58 2.94 2.85 2.78 2.63 2.50 3.21 2.64 2.09 1.73
CB#31 5.43 4.37 3.91 3.91 3.64 4.36 4.43 3.23 3.85 3.23 3.65 2.33
CB#105 1.37 1.19 0.956 1.06 0.988 1.03 0.964 0.941 1.06 0.867 0.785 0.642
CB#128 0.936 0.833 0.693 0.766 0.696 0.711 0.658 0.660 0.729 0.593 0.558 0.441
CB#149 4.26 3.52 2.90 3.20 3.05 2.97 2.89 2.81 3.04 2.59 2.74 1.96
CB#170 1.62 1.48 1.13 1.28 1.18 1.18 1.06 1.12 1.31 1.10 0.868 0.722
CB#183 0.841 0.785 0.59 0.683 0.64 0.654 0.598 0.581 0.729 0.559 0.517 0.386
CB#187 2.34 2.09 1.63 1.88 1.79 1.69 1.59 1.57 1.87 1.55 1.34 1.06
CB#18 3.87 3.00 3.25 3.08 2.87 3.88 4.58 2.23 2.97 1.90 3.07 1.62
CB#44 2.83 2.20 2.08 2.03 1.94 2.37 2.39 1.68 2.13 1.58 2.07 1.21
CB#47 1.15 0.959 0.821 0.841 0.848 0.913 0.85 0.725 0.838 0.731 0.792 0.522
CB#49 2.43 1.96 1.74 1.75 1.62 1.96 1.86 1.43 1.69 1.41 1.65 1.02
CB#66 4.71 3.65 3.12 3.38 3.10 3.34 3.00 2.82 3.31 2.84 2.73 1.99
CB#110 5.05 4.30 3.43 3.84 3.56 3.64 3.48 3.30 3.83 3.21 3.00 2.24
CB#158 0.484 0.413 0.329 0.365 0.342 0.354 0.329 0.308 0.391 0.314 0.292 0.218
CB#141 0.833 0.757 0.620 0.702 0.692 0.646 0.673 0.612 0.730 0.588 0.56 0.400
CB#151 1.13 1.00 0.827 0.861 0.883 0.819 0.823 0.734 0.922 0.768 0.753 0.491
CB#156 0.453 0.409 0.327 0.379 0.356 0.341 0.323 0.332 0.368 0.311 0.278 0.227
CB#194 1.05 0.869 0.661 0.781 0.754 0.662 0.607 0.690 0.848 0.647 0.527 0.434
SUM ICES7 31.3 27.0 21.7 23.5 22.3 23.1 23.3 20.4 23.1 20.0 19.9 13.9
SUM CB'S 72.0 60.8 50.7 54.3 51.3 54.6 54.4 46.2 53.7 44.8 46.1 31.8
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5 Discussion
5.1 Chemical contaminant assessment
Contaminant levels measured during chemical analysis are compared with Cefas Action Levels (MMO,
2015) in Table 8. Cefas Action Levels determine the suitability of dredged material for disposal at sea.
In general, where contaminant levels are;
• Below Action Level 1 – are of no concern and are unlikely to influence the licensing decision
• Between Action Level 1 and 2 – require further consideration before a decision can be made
• Above Action Level 2 – are generally considered unsuitable for sea disposal.
No contaminants were determined to be at or above Action Level 2 at any sampling station. Slight
exceedances of Action Level 1 were detected for PCBs, zinc, nickel, lead and chromium at all sites.
Slight exceedances of Action Level 1 were detected for cadmium and mercury at sampling station
HPCD06 only. Where Action Level 1 was exceeded, the measured concentrations were significantly
below Action Level 2 (by an order of magnitude) with the exception of zinc, for which the maximum
measured concentration was 262.18 mg.kg-1 (at station HPCD11) compared with the Cefas Action Level
2 for zinc of 800 mg.kg-1. The results are consistent with previously conducted analyses of seabed
sediment samples from the Severn Estuary near Hinkley Point, where background concentrations
typically exceed Action Level 1 (e.g. chromium concentrations up to 67 mg.kg-1; lead concentrations up
to 141 mg.kg-1; nickel concentrations up to 59 mg.kg-1; zinc concentrations up to 307 mg.kg-1 and PCB
concentrations up to 61 μg.kg-1 were measured in sediments collected near the HPC site in 2009
(BEEMS Technical Report TR186)).
The results of analyses conducted on the 2017 samples were also consistent with previous seabed
sediment samples from further afield in the Severn Estuary collected in 2004 and 2005 and reported in
Langston et al. (2010). The 2017 sample results were generally similar to or lower than those collected in
2004/5 for various metals (copper, nickel, cadmium and lead) and much lower than the reported
concentrations of copper, nickel and lead found in 2004/5 at some locations in the Severn Estuary
including Cardiff and Berrow.
PAH concentrations from the 2017 analyses were also compared with the 2004/2005 data. Data from
2004/5 were available for naphthalene, anthracene, fluoranthene and phenanthrene and the 2017
values were generally similar, but with much lower maximum values. The maximum concentration of
anthracene measured at the HPC intake and outfall locations in 2017, for example, was 234 µg.kg-1; In
the 2004/5 data anthracene concentrations at Cardiff in excess of 450 µg.kg-1 were detected.
Variations in the concentrations of metals, PCBs and PAHs between different samples (i.e. spatial and
temporal variation) occur for several potential reasons. Sample depth may affect the concentrations
measured; in the 2009 vibrocore samples, the deeper samples generally show low contaminant
concentrations with higher levels near the surface of the core. This is likely to result from the deposition
of the deeper sediments prior to the widespread release of anthropogenic contaminants into the marine
environment. The various surveys considered in this report (which involved sampling in 2004/5, 2009
and 2017) gathered samples from different locations which will have been exposed to different source
of contamination, and proximity to specific contaminant sources is likely to affect the local
concentrations. As well as different proximity to different contaminant sources, the sampling locations
will have different physical characteristics (for example water depth, tidal currents and wave climate)
which will play a role in the re-distribution of contaminant-bearing sediments. Temporal variations may
also relate to the introduction of control measures limiting the input of contaminants resulting in higher
concentrations in older samples and decreasing concentrations in later samples as the contaminant
degrades or disperses.
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Table 8 Action Levels determined according to contaminant levels. Values are in mg.kg-1. Green denotes contaminant level below Action Level 1. Yellow
denotes between Action Levels 1 and 2. Red denotes contaminant levels above Action Level 2.
Group Analysis
Action Level Sampling Station Concentrations measured
in 2009 samples1
1 2 HPC D06
HPC D07
HPC D08
HPC D09
HPC D10
HPC D11
HPC D12
HPC D13
HPC D14
HPC D15
HPC D16
HPC D17
Maximum Mean
Metals
Arsenic 20 100 30.00 14.75
Cadmium 0.4 5 0.46 1.50 0.25
Chromium 40 400 60.51 57.34 53.03 52.65 54.27 68.49 47.88 59.10 51.94 54.06 49.26 45.75 67.00 37.00
Copper 40 400 51.00 21.25
Lead 50 500 83.73 74.62 68.38 66.9 65.48 76.8 56.69 73.22 65.58 64.4 61.94 59.92 141.00 41.96
Mercury 0.3 3 0.34 0.67 0.23
Nickel 20 200 38.41 37.31 35.03 35.12 34.25 44.55 31.25 37.97 35.02 35.35 33.63 31.10 59.00 32.02
Zinc 130 800 245.42 227.33 210.02 208.04 203.15 262.18 181.65 232.42 204.87 202.60 193.20 179.85 307.00 125.84
Organotins 0.1 1
0.05 Not
applicable2
PCBs
Sum ICES7
0.01 None 0.0313 0.0270 0.0217 0.0235 0.0223 0.0231 0.0233 0.0204 0.0231 0.02 0.0199 0.0139 0.2148 0.0137
Sum CBs 0.02 0.2 0.0720 0.0608 0.0507 0.0543 0.0513 0.0546 0.0544 0.0462 0.0537 0.0448 0.0461 0.0318 0.6015 0.0388
1 2009 sediment samples were acquired and analysed and reported in BEEMS Technical Report TR186 (BEEMS, 2009). The concentrations measured for each substance
are provided in Table 7 for comparison with the latest results.
2 The majority of 2009 organotin analyses produced no detectable result and so no mean value was calculated.
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5.2 Radiological assessment
A conservative generic radiological assessment indicated that the doses of radioactivity from the sediment samples were below limits recommended by the IAEA (2003; 2004), and a subsequent more detailed case-specific assessment was not necessary (see Appendix A: Radiological Assessment of Dredging Application for Hinkley Point C Power Station, Somerset (2017)). The radiological results were consistent with previous analyses of sediment samples acquired in 2009 (BEEMS Technical Report TR186) and 2013 (Leonard et al., 2013). The activity levels recorded are so low that the sediment would not be defined as “radioactive material” or “radioactive waste” under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations (2011) or as described in the guidance on the scope of and exemptions from the radioactive substances legislation in the UK provided by Defra (Defra, 2011). The doses indicated by the assessment are shown in Table 9.
Table 9 Doses predicted by the IAEA generic radiological assessment (IAEA, 2003; 2004)
Type of dose Dose De minimis criteria (IAEA, 2003)
Individual members of a dredger crew 5.8 µSv/year 10 µSv/year
Individual members of the public 1.9 µSv/year 10 µSv/year
Collective dose to UK population 0.035 man Sv/year 1 man Sv/year
Under the London Convention of 1972, only materials below de minimis levels for radioactivity may be considered for disposal at sea. The IAEA describes a generic procedure for calculating individual and collective doses that could arise from the disposal of candidate material at sea (IAEA, 2003; 2004) which has then been adopted for use in the UK using the procedure described by McCubbin and Vivian (2006) to fulfil UK government’s responsibilities under the London Convention by producing estimates of individual and collective doses to dredge operators and the public.
The assessment undertaken for this 2017 survey for Marine Licence 12/45ML indicates that the doses of radioactivity that could potentially result from the disposal of the sediments analysed were well below the IAEA de minimis levels (see Table 9). Under the IAEA assessment procedure, therefore, no further assessment is required and there is no reason (from a radiological perspective) that the sediments should not be disposed of to sea.
The specific assessment undertaken for disposal of the sampled sediments to Cardiff Grounds was based on the generic parameters set out in McCubbin and Vivian (2006). Selected parameters are shown in Table 10.
Table 10 Selected parameters used in the generic assessment and (where available) local parameters for
Cardiff.
Parameter Value used in assessment
Local parameters for Cardiff (where available)
Source of local parameter data
Mass of candidate material dumped
100,000 tonnes 200,000 tonnes Marine Licence 12/45/ML
Individual ingestion rate of fish
50 kg / year 24 kg / year Environment Agency et al. 2017
Individual ingestion rate of crustacea
7.5 kg / year 3.8 kg / year Environment Agency et al. 2017
Individual ingestion rate of molluscs
7.5 kg / year Not significant Environment Agency et al. 2017
Ingestion rate of sediment 8 x 10-3 kg /year 2.5 x 10-3 kg /year Environment Agency et al. 2017
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The generic parameters used in the assessment consider a smaller mass of disposed material than
proposed but assume a much higher rates of seafood and sediment ingestion (Table 10). The
parameters used in the generic assessment are, therefore, suitable to determine the likely dose level
specifically for the proposed disposal activity at Cardiff grounds. As the generic assessment indicated
doses well below de minimis levels (see Table 9) no further assessment was necessary.
The collective dose to the public was 0.035 man Sv/year (Table 9), well below the IAEA de minimis level
for collective doses to populations of 1 man Sv/year. This calculation used the generic assessment
parameters from McCubbin and Vivian (2006) and refer to a stretch of coastline 10,000 m long with an
annual collective shore occupancy of 50 person hours/year/m (or a total collective exposure of 500,000
person hours/year). Given the extremely low collective dose to the public calculated (0.035 man Sv/year
compared with a de minimis level of 1 man Sv/year), no further site-specific assessment was deemed
necessary to check that de minimis levels would not be exceeded at Cardiff.
Full details of the methodology used to assess the sediment samples as safe for disposal at sea can be
found in McCubbin and Vivian (2006). The assessment showed that the potential individual dose of
radioactivity to the public from the disposal of the sediments collected and analysed in 2017 was 1.9
µSv/year, well below the de minimis limit recommended by the IAEA (10 µSv/year) and that no further
assessment of the radiological safety of disposing of the sediments to sea was required.
Comparison with previously analysed sediment samples
Before the 2017 sediment sampling described in this report, sediment samples were collected on two
previous occasions: in 2013 (see Appendix C: Radiological Analysis results from surface sediment
samples acquired in 2013 and analysed by Cefas.) when surface sediment samples were taken and in
2009 when sub-surface (and surface) sediment samples were collected using vibrocoring, and
radiological samples were acquired from depths below the seabed of up to 4.8m (see Appendix B:
Radiological Analysis results from vibrocore samples acquired in 2009 by Fugro Alluvial Offshore Ltd
using a 6m vibrocorer and analysed by Cefas.). Sediment cores were cut into sections and sub-samples
for radiological analysis were taken from the top and bottom sections to determine the radioactivity
content from both man-made and naturally-occurring radioactivity.
In the surface samples, the levels of radioactivity were low and many of the man-made elements (i.e.
americium-241 and cobalt-60) were undetectable (i.e. any activity was below the analytical detection
limit). Levels of caesium-137 (man-made) were positively detected, and were generally similar over time
and between individual sampling locations. The caesium-137 levels are also consistent with previous
data reported for Hinkley Point by an analytical laboratory operated by Environmental Scientifics Group
(ESG, now re-named SOCOTEC) and reported in the annual report series ‘Radioactivity in Food and the
Environment’ (Cefas, 2017). The levels of the positively detected man-made elements (i.e. caesium-137
and americium-241) in these samples were typical of muddy sediments from the combined effects of
discharges from the Hinkley Point Power station, other nuclear establishments discharging into the
Bristol Channel and weapons testing (and possibly a small Sellafield derived component). As expected,
levels of naturally- occurring radioactivity (i.e. potassium-40, radium-226, thorium-232 and uranium-238)
were positively detected and were also generally similar in time and across sampling locations.
Levels of all man-made elements were below the analytical detection limit (i.e. not detectable) in sub-
surface sediments collected in 2009. Potassium-40 (naturally-occurring) results were lower at depth (sub-
surface), indicating that the particle size of sediments was finer at the surface (i.e. higher radioactivity
levels are more likely at the surface because of the sediment composition). Data from both 2013 and
2017 were used to determine the risk from radioactivity. On both occasions, a conservative assessment
procedure indicated that doses received were contributed to mostly from naturally-occurring radioactivity,
that doses were well below recommended limits, and that a subsequent more detailed case-specific
assessment was, therefore, not necessary (in line with IAEA (2003) guidelines).
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6 Conclusions
Surface sediment sampling has been carried out at the HPC intake and outfall locations in accordance with
the monitoring plan approved by NRW (BEEMS technical report TR415) to address condition 9.4 of (NRW)
Marine Licence 12/45/ML.
Chemical analysis of the sediment samples indicates no reason that the material should not be disposed of
to sea.
Conservative generic radiological assessment (IAEA, 2003; 2004) indicated that doses received were below
recommended limits, and a subsequent, more detailed case-specific assessment is not necessary. There is
therefore no radiological reason why this material should not be disposed of to sea
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7 References
BEEMS Technical Report 186; Predicted Effects of NNB on Water Quality at Hinkley Point September 2011.
Cefas, Lowestoft Suffolk.
BEEMS Technical Report TR415; Hinkley Point C – Intake and outfall pre-disposal sediment sampling
scheme November 2016. Cefas, Lowestoft Suffolk.
Cefas (2017). RIFE - 22 Radioactivity in Food and the Environment 2016. Compiled by the Centre for
Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) on behalf of the Environment Agency, Food
Standards Agency, Food Standards Scotland, Natural Resource Wales, Northern Ireland Environment
Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Cefas, Lowestoft Suffolk.
Defra (2011) Guidance on the scope of and exemptions from the radioactive substances legislation in the
UK. Guidance Document. September 2011, Version 1.0.
Environment Agency, FSA, FSS, NIEA, NRW and SEPA 2017. Radioactivity in Food and the Environment,
2016. RIFE 22. Environment Agency, FSA, FSS, NIEA, NRW and SEPA, Bristol, London, Aberdeen,
Belfast, Cardiff and Sterling.
Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2011. Statutory Instruments 2011
No. 2043 11th August 2011.
IAEA (2003). Determining the suitability of materials for disposal at sea under the London Convention 1972:
A radiological assessment procedure. TECDOC-1375, IAEA, Vienna.
IAEA (2004). Sediment distribution coefficients and concentration factors for biota in the marine environment.
Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 422, IAEA, Vienna.
Langston W.J., Pope N.D., Jonas P.J.C., Nikitic C., Field M.D.R., Dowell B., Shillabeer N., Swarbrick R.H.
and Brown A.R. (2010). Contaminants in fine sediments and their consequences for biota of the Severn
Estuary. Marine Pollution Bulletin Volume 61, Issues 1–3, 2010, Pages 68-82.
Leonard K.S., Smedley P.A. and Cogan S.M. (2013). Radiological Assessment of Dredging Application for
Hinkley Point C Power Station, Somerset (2013). Cefas Environment Report RL 05/13.
McCubbin D. and Vivian C. M. G. (2006). Dose assessments in relation to disposal at sea under the London
Convention 1972: judging de minimis radioactivity, Cefas Environment report RL05/06.
MMO (2015). High Level Review of Current UK Action Level Guidance. A report produced for the Marine
Management Organisation, pp 73. MMO Project No: 1053. ISBN: 978-1-909452-35-0.
Natural Resources Wales (2014). Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009: Part 4 – Marine Licencing, Marine
Licence: 12/45/ML.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) (2017). Personal communication. E-mail from NRW Marine Licensing
([email protected]) to Stephen Roast (NNB GenCo), 13th January 2017.
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Appendix A: Radiological Assessment of Dredging
Application for Hinkley Point C Power Station, Somerset
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Radiological Assessment of
Dredging Application for
Hinkley Point C Power Station,
Somerset (2017)
Cefas Environment Report RL 05/17
(Cefas contract C7292H)
Kins Leonard, Paul Smedley and Steph Cogan
June 2017
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RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF DREDGING APPLICATION FOR HINKLEY POINT C POWER STATION, SOMERSET (2017)
SUMMARY
In 2012, NNBGenCo (a subsidiary of EDF Energy) lodged a Marine and Coastal Access Act (MCAA) licensing application to carry out a variety of dredging scenarios, within which dredging and disposal could occur at Hinkley Point C. Sediment samples were acquired in 2017 to fulfil condition 9.4 of Marine Licence 12/45ML. The volume of material to be dredged and disposed of at sea is approximately 200,000 tonnes.
In England, the MMO administers a range of statutory controls that apply to marine works on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), this includes issuing licences under the Marine and Coastal Access Act (MCAA), 2009 (United Kingdom - Parliament, 2009) for the disposal of dredged material at sea. Licences for disposals made in Scottish waters and around the coast of Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Scottish Government (Marine Scotland) and the Department of Environment (NIEA) respectively. As of 1st April 2010, licences for Welsh waters are the responsibility of the Welsh Government, administered by Natural Resources Wales from 1st April 2014.
Using the conservative generic radiological assessment procedure developed by the IAEA, to convert radionuclide concentrations in dumped material into radiation doses due to dumping, the derived total doses to individual members of the crew and public were 5.8 µSv/year and 1.9 µSv/year, respectively. The total collective dose was
0.035 manSv/year. The values for individual members of the crew and public, and the collective dose, were within the de minimis criteria of 10 µSv/year (individual doses) and 1 manSv/year (collective dose), respectively.
Since the conservative generic radiological assessment procedure indicated that doses received were below recommended limits, a subsequent more detailed case- specific assessment was not necessary. Therefore, from radiological considerations, there is no objection to this material being dredged and disposed of at sea.
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ASSESSMENT DETAILS
In 2012, NNB GenCo (a subsidiary of EDF Energy) lodged a MCAA licensing application to carry out a variety of dredging scenarios for the intakes and outfalls jetty application, within which dredging and disposal could occur at Hinkley Point C. The application was updated in 2017. The volume of material to be dredged and disposed of at sea is approximately 200,000 tonnes.
As part of the radiological assessment of the proposed operation, 12 sediment grab samples were taken (at the sediment surface) on from the vessel “Titan Endeavour” on the 2nd May 2017, sample positions given in Table A1 and shown in Figure A1.
Table A1. Sample positions from Hinkley Point C
Sample
Identifier
Lat/Long
Easting Latitude
Northing Longitude
HPCD06 51 13.316N 03 09.561W
HPCD07 51 13.298N 03 09.578W
HPCD08 51 13.250N 03 09.523W
HPCD09 51 13.267N 03 09.505W
HPCD10 51 14.074N 03 10.150W
HPCD11 51 14.053N 03 10.189W
HPCD12 51 13.985N 03 10.579W
HPCD13 51 13.956N 03 10.581W
HPCD14 51 13.882N 03 10.433W
HPCD15 51 13.895N 03 10.403W
HPCD16 51 13.966N 03 10.029W
HPCD17 51 13.999N 03 10.034W
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Figure A1. Location Site Map
Following freeze-drying and homogenisation, radionuclide assay at the Cefas
Lowestoft Laboratory was achieved by counting samples on a high purity Ge detector. The results are summarised in Table A2.
The specific activity of the artificial radionuclides (e.g. 137Cs and 241Am) in these samples was typical of muddy sediments from the combined effects of discharges from the Hinkley Point Power station, other nuclear establishments discharging into the Bristol Channel and weapons testing (and possibly a small Sellafield derived component), being enhanced above background levels outside the Irish Sea.
Results are also similar to those reported in a previous sampling campaign at Hinkley Point C (Leonard et al., 2013) which supported the disposal application in question (12/45ML). The Sellafield component is a legacy of large discharges from the Sellafield Limited reprocessing plant (formally British Nuclear Fuels) at Sellafield in the 1970s.
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Table A2. Radioactivity in sediment dredged from Hinkley Point C, 2017
Sample Identifier
Specific activity (Bq/kg, dry weight)
60Co 137Cs 226Ra
(via 214Pb)
232Th
(via 228Ac)
238U
(via 234Th)
241Am
HPCD06 < 0.4 19.5 23.0 37.4 62.2 < 1.46
HPCD07 < 0.4 19.5 22.3 37.9 57.5 < 1.57
HPCD08 < 0.4 17.9 21.8 33.0 66.3 < 1.42
HPCD09 < 0.4 17.5 23.2 32.4 54.3 < 1.57
HPCD10 < 0.5 14.9 19.8 28.9 41.8 < 1.68
HPCD11 < 0.3 14.7 21.4 29.7 48.7 < 1.12
HPCD12 < 0.4 15.1 21.7 28.9 45.8 < 1.38
HPCD13 < 0.4 15.1 21.7 29.1 51.7 < 0.59
HPCD14 < 0.5 14.8 21.7 26.6 48.6 < 0.62
HPCD15 < 0.4 14.8 23.1 28.2 49.0 < 1.41
HPCD16 < 0.4 12.8 23.8 29.5 46.7 < 1.52
HPCD17 < 0.4 13.7 22.0 29.5 46.8 < 1.36
*Average 0.4 16 22 31 52 1
*Average determinations use < results as positively measured values to produce a conservative estimate
In addition to the nuclides detected by gamma spectrometry, sediments are also known to contain activities of Pu radionuclides. The 241Am data were used to derive estimates for 239,240Pu and 241Pu, assuming their activity was proportional to the ratio in the time-integrated Sellafield discharges. This approach is reasonable given that both radionuclides are highly particle-reactive, hence the fate following discharge is similar. The activity for 210Pb was derived using data for 226Ra and assuming secular equilibrium.
Under the London Convention, only materials with de minimis levels of radioactivity may be considered for disposal at sea. The IAEA describe a generic procedure for calculating individual and collective doses that could arise from the disposal of candidate material at sea (IAEA, 2003; 2004). In the UK, the IAEA methodology was adopted using the published procedure described by McCubbin and Vivian (2006). The IAEA radiological assessment procedure (IAEA, 2003) was further developed to fulfil the responsibilities of the UK government towards the London Convention of 1972
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to produce estimates of individual and collective dose to dredge operators and the public (McCubbin and Vivian, 2006).
Using the conservative generic radiological assessment procedure developed by the IAEA (IAEA, 2003; 2004), to convert radionuclide concentrations in dumped material into radiation doses due to disposal at sea, the derived total doses to individual members of the crew and public were 5.8 µSv/year and 1.9 µSv/year respectively. The total collective dose was 0.035 manSv/year. The values for individual members of the crew and public, and the collective dose, were within the de minimis criteria of 10 µSv/year (individual doses) and 1 manSv/year (collective dose), respectively.
The dose estimates for individual crew/public (by nuclide), derived using the generic IAEA model, are shown in Figure A2.
Figure A2. Assessment of dose to individual members of crew and the public arising from Hinkley Point Power Station (Doses were derived using average activities listed in Table A2).
Since the conservative generic radiological assessment procedure indicated that doses received were well below recommended limits, a subsequent more detailed case-specific assessment was not necessary. All the derived total dose values were less than the de minimis criteria of 10 µSv/year and 1 manSv/year for individual and collective dose, respectively. Therefore, from radiological considerations, there is no objection to this material being dredged and disposed of to sea.
Natural Series Artificials
Individual crew
Individual public
Do
se (
µS
v/a
)
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REFERENCES
IAEA (2003). Determining the suitability of materials for disposal at sea under the London Convention 1972: A radiological assessment procedure. TECDOC-1375, IAEA, Vienna.
IAEA (2004). Sediment distribution coefficients and concentration factors for biota in the marine environment. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 422, IAEA, Vienna.
Leonard, K.S., Smedley, P.A. and Cogan, S.M. (2013). Radiological Assessment of Dredging Application for Hinkley Point C Power Station, Somerset (2013). Cefas Environment Report RL 05/13.
McCubbin D. and Vivian C. M. G. (2006). Dose assessments in relation to disposal at sea under the London Convention 1972: judging de minimis radioactivity, Cefas Environment report RL05/06.
United Kingdom - Parliament, 2009. Marine and Coastal Access Act, 2009. HMSO, London.
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About us
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Science is the UK’s leading and most diverse centre for
applied marine and freshwater science.
We advise UK government and private sector customers
on the environmental impact of their policies,
programmes and activities through our scientific
evidence and impartial expert advice.
Our environmental monitoring and assessment
programmes are fundamental to the sustainable
development of marine and freshwater industries.
Through the application of our science and technology,
we play a major role in growing the marine and
freshwater economy, creating jobs, and safeguarding
public health and the health of our seas and aquatic
resources
Head office
Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture
Science
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
Suffolk
NR33 0HT
Tel: +44 (0) 1502 562244
Fax: +44 (0) 1502 513865
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Tel: +44 (0) 1305 206600
Fax: +44 (0) 1305 206601
Customer focus
We offer a range of multidisciplinary bespoke scientific
programmes covering a range of sectors, both public and
private. Our broad capability covers shelf sea dynamics,
climate effects on the aquatic environment, ecosystems
and food security. We are growing our business in
overseas markets, with a particular emphasis on Kuwait
and the Middle East.
Our customer base and partnerships are broad,
spanning Government, public and private sectors,
academia, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), at
home and internationally.
We work with:
• a wide range of UK Government departments and
agencies, including Department for the Environment
Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Department for
Energy and Climate and Change (DECC), Natural
Resources Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and
governments overseas.
• industries across a range of sectors including
offshore renewable energy, oil and gas emergency
response, marine surveying, fishing and
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• other scientists from research councils, universities
and EU research programmes.
• NGOs interested in marine and freshwater.
• local communities and voluntary groups, active in
protecting the coastal, marine and freshwater
environments.
www.cefas.co.uk
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Appendix B: Radiological Analysis results from vibrocore samples acquired in
2009 by Fugro Alluvial Offshore Ltd using a 6m vibrocorer and analysed by
Cefas.
Customer: Fugro Alluvial Offshore Ltd Contract / Sub-contract No: C3630 Type of analysis: Gamma Spectrometry
Description of sample(s): Sediment core samples Date of receipt of sample(s): Nov-09
Description of methods of analysis used: Radionuclide concentration by drying Date of analysis: Dec-09
Report authorised by: Dr Kins Leonard & Steph Cogan Date: 18/12/09
The results follow and relate only to the samples as indicated
Sampled date
Sample Lsn
Depth m1 VC No2
Am-241 %error Co-60 %error Cs-137 %error K-40 %error Ra-226 %error Th-232 %error U-238 %error
09/11/2009 1230 0.0 - 1.0 VCJ9 <0.67 *- <0.40 *- 23.52 4.53% 673.0 3.92% 25.25 5.88% 29.71 5.64% 48.73 7.49%
09/11/2009 1231 4.35 - 4.42 VCJ9 <1.24 *- <0.30 *- <0.30 *- 580.0 3.88% 27.65 6.43% 33.29 5.19% 46.13 8.84%
09/11/2009 1232 0.0 - 1.0 VC17 <1.38 *- <0.30 *- 36.73 4.37% 654.0 3.87% 24.46 6.22% 33.78 5.37% 43.98 8.11%
09/11/2009 1233 3.00 - 3.08 VC17 <0.62 *- <0.30 *- <0.30 *- 584.0 3.91% 71.25 5.40% 29.32 5.53% 71.23 6.19%
15/11/2009 1234 0.0 - 1.0 VC9 0.65 38.19% <0.40 *- 26.27 4.48% 664.0 3.90% 22.43 6.17% 29.47 5.57% 39.46 7.80%
15/11/2009 1235 4.70 - 4.80 VC9 <0.54 *- <0.30 *- <0.30 *- 614.0 3.89% 30.30 5.64% 40.73 5.03% 41.25 6.67%
15/11/2009 1236 0.0 - 1.0 VC36 <0.42 *- <0.50 *- 0.98 24.57% 370.0 4.16% 15.56 7.35% 22.36 7.19% 30.83 8.48%
15/11/2009 1237 1.94 - 2.16 VC36 <0.51 *- <0.30 *- <0.30 *- 480.0 3.93% 29.10 5.64% 27.32 5.43% 50.90 7.04%
17/11/2009 1238 0.0 - 1.0 VCJ20R <1.37 *- <0.30 *- 43.14 4.35% 674.0 3.87% 25.29 6.09% 33.10 5.36% 50.25 9.94%
17/11/2009 1239 3.00 - 4.12 VCJ20R <0.63 *- <0.40 *- <0.30 *- 480.0 3.95% 73.57 5.39% 25.85 5.62% 68.56 6.34%
Comments: All results are expressed as Bq/kg dry
< indicates that the result is below the limit of detection of the counting equipment.
% error indicates 1 sigma Total uncertainty
* inapplicable when result is below detection limit.
This report shall not be reproduced except in full without written approval of Cefas Radioanalytical Service
Excel Test Report Form: Version 1 Issue date: 2 January 2007 Authorised by: Bryn Jones Page 1 of 1 1 Samples VC 17 and VC36 were taken at the planned 2 HPC intake locations, VC9 was from the planned HPC outfall location. (VCJ samples were taken from further inshore at the planned jetty location).
2 The depths refer to the depth in metres of the section of sediment core which was sub-sampled for radiological analysis. These depths were incorrectly
labelled in TR186 as cm, and the error is corrected here.
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Appendix C: Radiological Analysis results from
surface sediment samples acquired in 2013 and
analysed by Cefas.
Sample
Identifier
Specific activity (Bq/kg, dry weight)
60Co
137Cs
226Ra
(via 214Pb)
232Th
(via 228Ac)
238U
(via 234Th)
241Am
In/Out (MCU 12/45)
Sample 1 <0.43 21.7 23.1 28.4 45.4 <1.51
In/Out (MCU 12/45)
Sample 2 <0.40 27.4 22.3 26.5 43.3 <1.62
In/Out (MCU 12/45)
Sample 3 <0.44 17.4 20.6 24.5 40.6 0.63
In/Out (MCU 12/58)
Sample 4 <0.25 7.2 11.2 13.8 19 <0.96
In/Out (MCU 12/45)
Sample 5 <0.44 32.2 26 34.2 41.5 <1.64
In/Out (MCU 12/45)
Sample 6 <0.42 23.3 23.8 30.6 43.3 <1.49
In/Out (MCU 12/45)
Sample 7 <0.45 20.5 24 28 32.5 <1.57
In/Out (MCU 12/45)
Sample 8 <0.41 18.9 23.4 26.2 45.7 <1.50
In/Out (MCU 12/45)
Sample 9 <0.45 20.8 24.1 26.2 44.4 <1.62
In/Out (MCU 12/45)
Sample 10 <0.46 22.1 22.2 25.7 38.7 <1.71
In/Out (MCU 12/45)
Sample 11 <0.44 23 23.9 26.4 42.2 <1.56
In/Out (MCU 12/45)
Sample 12 <0.41 18.5 21.8 26.8 42.4 <1.45
In/Out (MCU 12/58)
Sample 1 <0.43 20.1 24.4 27.2 39.9 <0.71
In/Out (MCU 12/58)
Sample 2 <0.43 21.2 22.6 25.7 42.8 <1.59
In/Out (MCU 12/58)
Sample 3 <0.49 19.4 23.5 25.9 41 0.97
In/Out (MCU 12/48)
Sample 4 <0.45 21.2 24.2 28.4 39 3.16
In/Out (MCU 12/58)
Sample 5 <0.45 21.7 24.5 27.4 44.4 <0.66
*Average 0.43 21 23 27 40 1.59
*Average determinations use < results as positively measured values to produce a conservative estimate.
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