New technology for conducting radiation hazard assessments: The application of the Underwater Radiation Spectral Identification System (URSIS) at theMassachusetts Bay Industrial Waste (USA)

The Underwater Radiation Spectral Identification System (URSIS) is a portab le spectrometer used for the in sills detection of radioactivity in the mar ine environment. This paper reports on the first time application of this t echnology to assess, in a preliminary manner, the potential radiation threa t to the public and environment at an aquatic disposal site - the Massachus etts Bay Industrial Waste Site (IWS). Utilizing the meneuvering capabilitie s of ROV and manned submersible vehicles, the URSIS was successfully positi oned close (5-10 cm) to waste containers for a period sufficient to detect, in real time, the presence of radioactive materials. Spectral data from 45 individual targets indicated that the radionuclides present in sediments w hich draped or partially buried waste containers were consistent with natur al background concentrations. No man-made radionuclides were detected at an y of the target or background measurement locations. These data support the conclusion that low-level radiation does not pose an imminent and widespre ad human health or ecological threat in Massachusetts Bay.