International Journal of Marine Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 66-73 http://www.aquapublisher.com/index.php/ijms 68 Figure 1 Deep hole processing of nuclear waste 1.2 Types and sources of radioactive substances Understanding the different types of radioactive isotopes and their sources is crucial for the effective management and mitigation of ecological risks associated with nuclear pollution. This understanding assists researchers and policymakers in better assessing and addressing the impact of nuclear pollution on marine ecosystems. The types and sources of radioactive substances are integral components of nuclear pollution. In the context of nuclear pollution, different types of radioactive isotopes vary in their sources and properties, resulting in distinct impacts on marine ecosystems and organisms. Some of the main radioactive isotopes include uranium, plutonium, strontium, iodine, and radon. Uranium is a common radioactive element that is widely present in the Earth's crust and it may be released into the oceans during accidents at nuclear facilities or nuclear weapons testing (Fadhil, 2023). Plutonium, often used in nuclear weapons manufacturing, is a highly radioactive element that may be released in significant quantities into the oceans through nuclear weapons testing and nuclear waste disposal. Strontium, a radioactive element, has a common radioactive isotope known as strontium-90, which may be released during nuclear facility accidents and nuclear weapons testing. Iodine, particularly the radioactive isotope iodine-131, is a common byproduct of nuclear facility accidents and should not be underestimated in nuclear pollution. Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive element primarily from the Earth's crust, may enter the oceans through groundwater. In addition, tritium is an isotope of hydrogen, widely used in nuclear power facilities and may be released into the ocean through nuclear power facility accidents or radioactive waste. These radioactive isotopes primarily originate from human activities such as nuclear energy development, nuclear weapons testing, nuclear accidents, and nuclear waste disposal. Leaks or accidents at nuclear power plants can result in the release of radioactive substances into the oceans, posing a threat to the survival of marine organisms. Improper nuclear waste disposal may also lead to the leakage and release of radioactive isotopes. 1.3 Ocean distribution and dispersion of nuclear pollution The distribution and spread of nuclear pollution in the ocean constitute a complex process influenced by various factors, including the types and properties of radioactive substances, release sources, oceanic water currents and depths, and the biologically availability of nuclides. Once radioactive isotopes enter the ocean, they will settle, diffuse, and transport within the water column at different rates. The sources of nuclear pollution can be categorized into natural sources and anthropogenic sources. Natural sources include radioactive isotopes in the Earth's crust and cosmic rays, resulting in low levels of natural nuclear radiation (Amjed et al., 2023). However, anthropogenic sources, such as nuclear energy development, nuclear weapons testing, nuclear accidents, and nuclear waste disposal, lead to significant releases of radioactive isotopes, significantly elevating the degree of nuclear pollution in the oceans. Oceanic water currents and depths play a crucial role in the distribution and spread of nuclear pollution. Surface waters are often directly influenced by atmospheric transport of nuclides, while deep waters may take longer to be affected by atmospheric transport of
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