Radioecological assessment of the marine environment in the area of the sinking of the nuclear submarine K-159 based on the results of the scientific research expedition in 2023

The K-159 nuclear submarine that sank in 2003 in the Barents Sea near Kildin Island is a potential source of radiation hazard. In 2023, Research and Production Association «Typhoon» organized an expedition to study the radiation situation and conduct a radioecological assessment of the state of the marine environment in the sinking zone of the K-159 nuclear submarine. The accumulation factors of 137Cs and 90Sr in bottom fish species and aquatic plants were determined. The accumulation factors of 137Cs in bottom fish species, calculated using the expedition survey data, are 2 to 5 times higher than the average values for the Barents Sea. The radiation dose rates and generalized indicators of radiation and environmental risk for marine biota were calculated. It was shown that the K-159 nuclear submarine currently has an insignificant impact on the marine environment. Given the potential danger, the radiation facility in question requires regular monitoring of the sinking site to promptly detect the release of radionuclides into the natural environment of the Barents Sea.