The Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority announced yesterday that radioactive build-up had been discovered in Iceland for the first time. Mineral deposits at a geothermal power-plant in Reykjanes peninsula have been discovered to contain radioactive materials. Authorities have assured the public the radioactivity poses no risk to people.
Radioactive mineral deposits
The radioactivity is due to naturally occurring radioactive materials which build up in mineral deposits which build up at the deposits as geothermal water is extracted from the depths. The deposits collect in the borehole casing. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports the deposits have been buried by the Reykjanesvirkjun power-plant in the Reykjanes peninsula since 2006 without anyone realizing they contained radioactive waste.
The radioactivity was only revealed to the public after RÚV had made a formal information request to the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority.
Reykjavík power plants produce no radioactive waste
The radioactive materials in the build-up are lead (Pb-210), bismuth (Bi-210) and polonium (Po-210), all created by the decay of Uranium (U-238). These minerals are known to build up at oil and gas boreholes.
The Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority states the geological conditions at Reykjanes are unique, making it highly unlikely mineral build-ups at other geothermal power plants might be radioactive. Measurements of build-up in boreholes at the Svartsengi and Nesjavellir power-plants east of Reykjavík have revealed no radioactivity. Boreholes at other geothermal power-plants in Iceland are scheduled to be measured next year.
The Reykjanesvirkjun powerplant was switched on in 2006. It generates 100 MWe from two 50 MWe turbines, using 290-320°C (554-668°F) hot steam and brine which is extracted from twelve 2,700 m (8,860 ft) deep boreholes.
Authorities say radioactivity poses no danger to public
The radioactive materials in the mineral build-ups emit low power beta- and alfa-radiation. They are only dangerous if consumed or in very close contact, and according to the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority the radioactive waste is contained and that there is no danger it might be released through steam or find its way into drinking water.
However, authorities have been criticized for not announcing the radioactivity earlier as the radioactivity was confirmed in measurements by Finnish experts this July. Sigurður M. Magnússon, the head of the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority told RÚV the issue had not been reported earlier because “it had nothing to do with the public, so to speak,” and that the decision had been made to investigate the issue better before announcing it to the public.
Árni Finsson, the chairman of the Iceland Nature Conservation Association said in an interview with RÚV it was “nonsense” that authorities didn’t need to inform the public. “The public should not need to request information about issues it has no knowledge might exist.”
The Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority announced yesterday that radioactive build-up had been discovered in Iceland for the first time. Mineral deposits at a geothermal power-plant in Reykjanes peninsula have been discovered to contain radioactive materials. Authorities have assured the public the radioactivity poses no risk to people.
Radioactive mineral deposits
The radioactivity is due to naturally occurring radioactive materials which build up in mineral deposits which build up at the deposits as geothermal water is extracted from the depths. The deposits collect in the borehole casing. The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports the deposits have been buried by the Reykjanesvirkjun power-plant in the Reykjanes peninsula since 2006 without anyone realizing they contained radioactive waste.
The radioactivity was only revealed to the public after RÚV had made a formal information request to the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority.
Reykjavík power plants produce no radioactive waste
The radioactive materials in the build-up are lead (Pb-210), bismuth (Bi-210) and polonium (Po-210), all created by the decay of Uranium (U-238). These minerals are known to build up at oil and gas boreholes.
The Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority states the geological conditions at Reykjanes are unique, making it highly unlikely mineral build-ups at other geothermal power plants might be radioactive. Measurements of build-up in boreholes at the Svartsengi and Nesjavellir power-plants east of Reykjavík have revealed no radioactivity. Boreholes at other geothermal power-plants in Iceland are scheduled to be measured next year.
The Reykjanesvirkjun powerplant was switched on in 2006. It generates 100 MWe from two 50 MWe turbines, using 290-320°C (554-668°F) hot steam and brine which is extracted from twelve 2,700 m (8,860 ft) deep boreholes.
Authorities say radioactivity poses no danger to public
The radioactive materials in the mineral build-ups emit low power beta- and alfa-radiation. They are only dangerous if consumed or in very close contact, and according to the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority the radioactive waste is contained and that there is no danger it might be released through steam or find its way into drinking water.
However, authorities have been criticized for not announcing the radioactivity earlier as the radioactivity was confirmed in measurements by Finnish experts this July. Sigurður M. Magnússon, the head of the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority told RÚV the issue had not been reported earlier because “it had nothing to do with the public, so to speak,” and that the decision had been made to investigate the issue better before announcing it to the public.
Árni Finsson, the chairman of the Iceland Nature Conservation Association said in an interview with RÚV it was “nonsense” that authorities didn’t need to inform the public. “The public should not need to request information about issues it has no knowledge might exist.”
