Detection of radiation leaking from Russian submarines at the bottom of the Arctic

The Komsomolets submarine sinking in 1989 killed 42 sailors as the Soviet tragedy's most tragic accident, researchers found radioactive leaks.

Norwegian researchers claim to have detected radioactive leaks from the Soviet nuclear Komsomolets submerged deep in the Arctic Sea in 1989.

Komsomolets nuclear submarine sinks deep in the Arctic Sea in 1989. (Photo: RT).

According to Norwegian national television station NRK, the team obtained a sample of water from a submarine ventilation duct. Although the previous two models did not find any radioactive leaks, the third sample showed signs of radiation levels 100,000 times higher than conventional seawater.

'That is a preliminary result. We will examine the samples more carefully when returning to the country. The level we find here is 100 bq / liter (becquerel's bq, which is the measurement of the intensity of radioactivity) , 'explained Hilde Elise Heldal of the Marine Research Institute.

Two days ago, researchers from Russia and Norway jointly conducted a joint expedition to measure radiation leakage from the Komsomolets. Norwegian research ship GO Sars departs from a port in Tromsø.

Because submarines are located at 1,700 meters, the collection of seawater samples in submarines is considered a challenge. Researchers must use Norwegian-built mini Ægir 6000 submarines to photograph the scene.

The submarine of the Soviet Union was tragedy and sunk on April 7, 1989, sank in the southwestern part of the Norwegian Sea of ​​Bjørnøya.

Researcher Heldal said she was not surprised by the results. A trip by Russian researchers in 2007 also found radiation leakage from deep-sea submarines.

Previous surveys of Norway in 1991-1993 also found elevated levels of radioactive cesium-137 in seawater around the ship. Since 1990, Norway has been surveying radioactivity around Komsomolets every year.

'It is important to maintain monitoring so that we can update the pollution situation in the area around the wreck. Monitoring helps ensure consumer confidence in the Norwegian fishing industry , 'said researcher Hilde Elise Heldal in the group.

The Soviet Komsomolets nuclear submarine struck tragically and sank on April 7, 1989 after a fire broke out in the engine compartment. Submerged submarine in southwestern Bjørnøya island of Norway. 42 out of 69 sailors were killed. Komsomolets is currently located at 1,700 meters deep with a nuclear reactor and two torpedoes.