A review of (super 14) C waste arising from the nuclear industry in the United Kingdom.

Abstract

We report on a review of (super 14) C production and release from the nuclear industry in the United Kingdom (UK). Using earlier predictions (Bush, White and Smith 1984) it is estimated that a total of 1764 TBq of (super 14) C would have been produced in UK graphite-moderated reactors up to the end of 1995, and 135 TBq of this total would have been released. Release rates, based on reported discharges, of 5.1 and 0.93 TBq GW(e)a (super -1) have been derived for Magnox reactors and Advanced Gas Cooled Reactors (AGRs), respectively. Using these new figures, cumulative discharges of (super 14) C up to 1995 from reactors have been estimated at 531 TBq. The combination of these reactor discharges and the reported discharges from Sellafield (388 TBq) and Amersham (52 TBq) suggest a total cumulative release of 971 TBq of (super 14) C up to the end of 1995.