Not many scientists missed the morning sessions on Thursday; the
featured topics were finding on radioactivity levels at French South Pacific nuclear test sites and developments in the maritime environmental field.Nuclear test site findings
Contrary to contemporary opinion,
the International Atomic Energy Association found very safe levels of radioactivity during its recent tests in French Polynesia. Although a total of over 200 explosions took place in the South
Pacific between 1960 and 1996, Dr. Pavel Povinec, head of the IAEA's Marine Environmental Lab and conference secretary, said their tests showed "negligible
radionuclide concentrations in seawater around the Mururoa and Fangataufa Atolls."
The French government has been monitoring the island test site for about 20 years.
International pressure brought the IAEA's multinational team of scientists to the site to perform independent surveys. Dr. Povines's group took measurements of radionuclide
levels in the lagoons, on the islands and in the local shellfish and corals. They also developed computer models to determine radioactive release rates for the next 6000
years, projected release rates in the event of a major disruptive event, and what would happen if a hypothetical group of people took up residence on the islands. Based on
results from both the models and the sampling, the IAEA reported radiation levels would not pose a threat to human life or to the local ecology.
Plutonium is the major cause for worry because it takes a long time to decay. To contain radiation, the nuclear bomb tests took place underground in a hole dug in deep
non-porous volcanic strata. The volcanic strata is not expected to decay for at least 6000 years. Even if a major disruptive event were to break the strata today, "danger
levels are ecologically very very low" Dr. Povinec said.
Developments in the maritime environment field
Dr. Peter Wells of Environment Canada and Dr. Michael Champ of Texas A & M presented
reports that outline upcoming changes in the shipping industry.
According to Dr. Champ, recent changes in the public's opinion of oil spills and the
courts' view of damage compensation have brought science back into oil spill response. He points out big companies will not be allowed to merely throw money at major spills,
thereby putting on a media circus in lieu of an effective response. An educated public has come to recognize spills can be avoided or at least ameliorated through common
sense. More importantly, Champ says the courts are making decisions restricting compensation claims. Spill compensation claims are not being awarded to coordinators
who pick technologies that result in an unsuccessful spill response.
Champ went on to say that spill response is now integrating science into decision making
by coordinating technology and the expected characteristics of a spill. Satellite monitoring oil slick observation via infrared, extensive weather and wave data, and
remote sensing buoys are just a few of the technologies used to predict oil slick weathering. From such models an integrated spill response can be tailored to insure the "Best Achievable Response."
Dr. Wells reported on upcoming changes in the carriage of chemical substances by ships. He explained changes underway in Gesamp's hazardous cargo evaluating process.
Improvements in the ability to characterize chemicals has necessitated updating current cargo labeling, particularly for containerized cargo. Characteristics such as
bioaccumulation will now be added to the description of cargo in insure hazardous cargo is transported in a safe and effective manner.
The International Maritime Organization's primary report was presented by Dr. Manfred
Nauke. He discussed the hazards caused by exotic pest species and pathogens in ballast water. He pointed out that such species cost the United States $20 million dollars
annually. IMO began re-investigating ballast water regulations in 1997. The results of the investigation will be reported at the next Marine Environmental Protection
Committee in three weeks. The report suggests new guidelines for ship owners in ballast water handling. IMO intends for the guidelines to be incorporated into a new resolution for the maritime industry.
