Dounreay foreshore

The foreshore adjacent to Dounreay can be divided into two areas - the east foreshore and west foreshore.

It has been monitored routinely throughout the lifetime of Dounreay for evidence of the impact on the environment of radiological discharges from the site.

The effluent discharge outlets - one redundant and one currently in use - are located approximatey 600 metres offshore on the seabed.

The first recorded finds of particles on the foreshore occurred in 1983.

In August 1996, before the discovery by divers of particles on the seabed, the foreshore was methodically stripped down to the bedrock about one metre beneath the surface. A total of four particles were recovered during this work.

Particles considered a "significant" risk to health have been found here, as well as smaller particles in the "minor" and "relevant" category.

Much of the foreshore is beyond the perimeter of the licensed nuclear site but is generally inaccessible to the public due to the surrounding terrain.

Click here to see a list of finds.

 

Dounreay foreshore monitoring requirements (as set out in SEPA authorisation)
Location Extent Grid references Frequency
East foreshore All accessible sandy areas from mean high water to low water 298650, 967410 & 299020, 967670 Fortnightly, except between May 1 and Aug 31 (bird breeding)
West foreshore All accessible sandy areas from mean high water to low water 298190, 967029 & 298340, 967095 Fortnightly, except between May 1 and Aug 31 (bird breeding)
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Image: The east and west foreshore at Dounreay

The east and west foreshore at Dounreay

Image: Monitoring of the foreshore can be interrupted to avoid disturbance to nesting birds

Monitoring of the foreshore can be interrupted to avoid disturbance to nesting birds

Image: Tom Atkins and Tony Harris, of Dounreay Particles Advisory Group, investigate the rocky outcrops of the foreshore in 2007

Tom Atkins and Tony Harris, of Dounreay Particles Advisory Group, investigate the rocky outcrops of the foreshore in 2007

Image: The foreshore was excavated in the 1990s in an attempt to trace the source of particles detected there

The foreshore was excavated in the 1990s in an attempt to trace the source of particles detected there