200,000 Barrels of Radioactive Waste on the Atlantic Seabed

☢️ 200,000 Barrels of Radioactive Waste on the Atlantic Seabed

From asbestos in homes to lead in cosmetics, history is full of practices once considered harmless that left lasting scars. Among the most staggering examples is the ocean dumping of radioactive waste.

The History of Ocean Dumping

Between 1946 and the early 1990s, thirteen countries across four continents disposed of radioactive waste at sea

* Europe: United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden

* Asia: Japan, South Korea, former Soviet Union (Asian waters)

* North America: United States

* Oceania: Australia

After WWII, France and the UK turned to the deep Atlantic as a nuclear dumping ground. Barrels containing low- and intermediate-level radioactive materials were encased in asphalt or concrete and sent to depths believed to be stable, barren, and vast enough to contain them permanently.

Although the 1972 London Convention regulated ocean dumping, it only banned high-level radioactive waste while allowing low- and intermediate-level waste under permits. This ambiguity and uneven enforcement meant dumping continued into the late 1980s and early 1990s and ended only with a full ban in 1994.

By the early 1990s, over 200,000 barrels rested on the seabed, some nearly 13,000 feet (4,000 meters) below the surface and hundreds of miles offshore from France. While the IAEA confirms that general site locations were recorded, many coordinates were poorly mapped, leaving thousands of barrels unaccounted for.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind?

Decades underwater have exposed the barrels to corrosion, deep-sea pressure, and shifting currents, raising concerns about leaks and long-term contamination. Although heavy and mostly stationary, sediment shifts and degradation have made precise locations uncertain.

Project NODSSUM: A Modern Investigation

To address these decades-old risks, Project NODSSUM was launched in 2025. Led by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) with international partners, the mission focuses on mapping and assessing the barrels.

* Phase 1: High-resolution mapping of about 6,000 km² of seabed to locate barrel fields

* Phase 2: Sampling sediments, seawater, and marine life to measure radiation and assess ecological impact

A Global Responsibility

These Atlantic barrels are a stark warning about short-sighted decisions. Similar dumping sites exist in oceans and seas worldwide, from the Pacific to the Arctic. Comprehensive cleanup plans and ongoing monitoring are essential to prevent toxic waste from past generations becoming a permanent hazard.