The Environment Agency
has today revealed the findings of an investigation
into claims by Green Audit that soil at
the Hinkley Point Power Station site is
contaminated with 10 tonnes of enriched
uranium.
The Environment Agency
has today revealed the findings of an investigation
into claims by Green Audit that soil at
the Hinkley Point Power Station site is
contaminated with 10 tonnes of enriched
uranium.
The Agency findings
clearly show no enriched uranium is present
at the proposed site for Hinkley Point C,
near Bridgwater, Somerset.
A briefing note and
supporting data can be found at the following
link - www.environment-agency.gov.uk/hinkleypoint
on the Environment Agency website.
In view of public concerns
that the allegations may have caused, the
Environment Agency undertook soil sampling
to provide reliable scientific information
about whether or not uranium contamination
is present on the proposed site.
Samples were taken on
the proposed site and at three farms, several
kilometres away. These were analysed using
mass spectrometry - an analytical method
capable of accurately measuring the "isotopes"
present in the soil.
‘The results of our
sampling show that no enriched uranium is
present. Uranium is present naturally in
small quantities in all rocks and soils.
The levels of uranium found in the soil
samples taken both on and off the site are
low, and at naturally occurring levels,’
said David Bennett for the Environment Agency.
The Environment Agency
asked consultants Nuvia to carry out the
sampling of surface soils and GeoSciences
Advisory Unit at Southampton University
carried out the analysis. The samples were
analysed by high resolution ICPMS (Inductively
Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry).
The samples were taken
from eleven locations on the area of the
proposed Hinkley Point C site and three
locations on each of three farms several
km away from the site, to provide an indication
of background.
Any media queries should
be directed to the Environment Agency press
office on 01392 442008.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
What is uranium?
Uranium is a metallic
element that occurs naturally in soil, rock
and water, usually at low concentrations
of a few parts per million. It is commercially
extracted from uranium-bearing minerals
and used as fuel in nuclear power stations.
In nature, uranium is
found as U-238 (99.27%), U-235 (0.72%),
and a very small amount of U-234. It is
radioactive; the half-life of U-238 is about
4.47 billion years and that of U-235 is
704 million years. The activity ratio for
U-238:U-235 is 21.3.
What is 'enriched uranium'?
Uranium-235 is the fissile
component of uranium (i.e. the component
capable of sustaining a neutron (chain reaction),
and so is important in nuclear reactors.
Some reactors, such
as Hinkley Point A and other Magnox reactors,
use 'natural uranium', containing the proportion
of U-235 found in naturally
occurring uranium.
Other reactors, such
as Hinkley Point B and other Advanced Gas
Cooled reactors use ‘enriched uranium’,
so called because the proportion of U-235
has been increased from 0.72% to several
per cent.
+ More
Environment Agency invites
public to Ouse Washes drop-ins
The Environment Agency
is holding drop-ins next week at Coveney
and Sutton for the public to come along
and discuss work on the Ouse Washes and
associated habitat creation project.
These events are being
held on:
Wednesday 16 March,
1pm - 7pm at Coveney Village Hall, School
Lane, Coveney CB6 2DB
Friday 18 March, 1pm
- 7pm at The Pavilion, Brooklands Centre,
The Brook, Sutton CB6 2QQ
The Ouse Washes make
up a vital 19 mile flood storage reservoir
in the Fens, but their sustainability is
being challenged by changing rainfall and
flooding patterns, which have caused deterioration
of the grassland habitat. In turn this has
led to substantial reductions in some bird
populations over the last 30 years, as well
as to increased maintenance by the Environment
Agency of the barrier banks which border
the Washes.
The Environment Agency
has been asked by government to implement
a habitat creation project to acquire land
close to the Washes. This will recreate
habitat to help restore bird populations
and ensure compliance with the European
Birds and Habitats Directives.
Dr Geoff Brighty, Area
Manager for the Environment Agency, said:
“We have been meeting with councillors,
MPs and local landowners, and now we are
inviting the public to drop in to find out
more about the habitat creation project.”
Geoff added: “Fundamentally
this project will allow us to continue operating
the Ouse Washes as they are now, providing
essential flood protection for land and
the local communities. The Washes protect
29,000 hectares of land and 880 properties.”
