Sandside
In December 2006, during a survey a contaminated item was discovered.
In January 2006 four particles were removed from Sandside over a two day period.
In 2006 the owners of Sandside estate contacted an American company with experience of radiation monitoring.
In October 2000 UKAEA carried out a survey of the dunes at Sandside.
In 2007 UKAEA carried out a survey of Reay golf course (Sandside).
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Contaminated item
On 15th December 2006, during a survey for radioactive particles at Sandside beach, an object was discovered, towards the eastern end of the beach, which was not the same as the particles typically found on the beach. The object, which was detected due to the presence of Caesium-137, was lying in seaweed close to the water’s edge. The object is dark coloured and the outside surface appears to the object’s approximate dimensions are 8 inches long by 3 inches wide and 1 inch thick. Following initial analysis the object was found to contain Caesium 137 at a level of about 4,600 Becquerels which was found to be more concentrated in the central area. Further tests, to be carried out in the laboratories at Dounreay, have been discussed and agreed with Sandside Estate. The current information is contained in the status report.
Status report on plastic item found on Sandside beach on 15th December 2006.
Further cutting was carried out on the most active part of the plastic (the smaller whitish item within the large black bulk material). Using a handheld probe to guide where the activity resided, the active item was cut into seven pieces, which ranged in count rate from 40 to 1000 counts per second. Only small count rates from the residual black material of about 10-15 cps were recorded, therefore almost all the activity resides in these 7 pieces.
Report on an unusual plastic item found on Sandside beach on 15th December 2006.
The cps, 137Cs and 241Am levels in each piece is provided in the spreadsheet below:
Spreadsheet of results.
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Sandside monitoring - update on particles found in January 2006
On Saturday 20th January, two particles were detected and removed from Sandside beach. The first was found on the western end of the baech, at surface level and its activity was 32,000 Bq 137Cs. The second find was 9cm deep near the middle of the beach with an activity of 13,000 Bq 137Cs.
On Monday 22nd January, two further particles were detected and removed from Sandside beach. The first, found at 1330 hours, was detected on the east end of the beach, 20 cm deep and had an activity of 480,000 Bq while the second detected at approximately 1630 hours was found near the middle of the beach, 30 cm deep and had an activity of 220,000 Bq.
The two particle finds on Saturday are in the ‘minor’ category (terminology introduced by the Dounreay Particles Advisory Group (DPAG)) – minor being activity less than 100,000 Bq.
The particle found at 1330 hours on Monday was the highest activity particle found to date no Sandside beach (compared to the 400,000 Bq find in June 2006). Both particles on Monday are classed as ‘relevant’ particles (100,000 to 1,000,000 Bq, again as classified by DPAG).
Since June 2006, 22 particles have been found on the beach. This increase in the rate of finds may be due to improvements in monitored areas following consulting and agreement with Sandside Estate, as a result of sand movements following significant storms in the area, or may be for some other reason. By the end of February UKAEA expect to have data on how the profile of the sand surface has changed over the last five months of monitoring which should help gain a better understanding of any patterns emerging.
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UKAEA is aware that Mr Geoffrey Minter has been in contact with American consultants with experience of radiation monitoring in the environment.
In 2005 extensive trials of different systems were undertaken with nearly a quarter of a million pounds spent to ensure full testing of the effectiveness of different technologies. The tests were undertaken in the presence of both UKAEA and independent experts, including Sandside’s technical advisor. The notice for technology capable of monitoring for particles was advertised widely throughout the international arena and included interest from Europe and the United States. UKAEA is aware of Shonka who responded to the advert and have taken part in the initial sand-bed trials.
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Monitoring other areas of Sandside beach
In October 2000 a survey of the Sandside dunes was undertaken. For more information see:
Pdf: Survey of Sandside dunes, October 2000 – main report.
Pdf: Survey of Sandside dunes, October 2000 – appendices.
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Aerial view of Dounreay, with the beach at Sandside Bay in the foreground
