Potential incursion of marine sediment inland in North-West England

Abstract

An area of fine sediment off the Cumbrian coast acts as a reservoir for many of the radionuclides discharged into the Irish Sea from Sellafield. The origin of any sediment that could come ashore in a single storm event has been evaluated, the areas of coast that could be at risk from flooding have been identified and an assessment made of the doses that might be received as a result of such flooding. Any sediment transported inland would have come from the nearshore zone rather than directly from the offshore area. Moreover, although parts of the coast between Morecambe Bay and the Solway are currently at risk from flooding during severe storms, the doses that would be received by those engaged in the clean-up operations and by residents would be a small fraction of the limit recommended by ICRP for members of the public.