Estimations of effective doses received from naturally occurring radioactivity in polymetallic nodules from the deep sea

The strategic importance of metals found in deep-sea polymetallic nodules has spurred a surge in interest for their exploitation. However, nodules are known to incorporate radionuclides during their growth, so that any industrial processing would involve classifying them as naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). As the start of deep-sea mining gets closer, concerns about elevated exposure to radiation that could result from the handling of nodules has recently been raised. In this study, we address this issue within the framework of radiation protection regulations. For the first time, we present estimates of effective doses associated with laboratory work and industrial-scale exploitation, transportation and metallurgical processing of polymetallic nodules. Estimates are based on an analysis of all long-lived radionuclides from the three natural decay chains of uranium-238, uranium-235 and thorium-232 and on radon exhalation rates from dry nodules. We show that effective doses for laboratory workplaces are well below the threshold of 1 millisievert per calendar year (mSv/a) for occupational exposure, even under the most conservative assumptions. Furthermore, we find that the effective doses for personnel on nodule transport vessels and metallurgical processing facilities may exceed the threshold in a conservative scenario. However, with standard radiation protection and mitigation measures common in other NORM-affected industries, effective doses can be kept well below the occupational exposure limit.