Carbon 14 transfer from seawater to the atmosphere through degassing processes in the Bay of Seine (North-West of France)

Abstract

Abstract. COGEMA La Hague nuclear reprocessing plant is located in the North West of Cotentin peninsula near Cherbourg (France). This nuclear plant releases radioelements in atmosphere and in the English Channel. About 8.5 TBq.year -1 of radiocarbon are released as the liquid wastes through a pipe a few kilometres off sea shore, West of the reprocessing plant. Recent studies in the peninsula show anomalous higher radiocarbon contents in vegetation near the coast that have suggested a supplementary marine contribution through the degassing of the

Radionuclides transfer between water and atmosphere in the Loire estuary (FLORE project)

“…Such a pattern suggests clearly that estuary is a potential source of CO 2 to the atmosphere. Recent studies around COGEMA La Hague nuclear reprocessing plant show that this area of high bacteriological activity generate high carbon dioxide flux marked by 14 CO 2 originating from liquid waste released of the plant [5] [6]. Similarly in the Bay of Seine evaporating process results in 3 H flux from sea to the atmosphere [7].…”