Annual Report for 2010/11 and Forward Programme - Sellafield Ltd
Annual Report for 2010/11 and Forward Programme - Sellafield Ltd
Annual Report for 2010/11 and Forward Programme - Sellafield Ltd
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1. Introduction1.1 Background to reportThis report concerns one module of Phase 1 of a project (ESR87) being conducted by Cefason behalf of <strong>Sellafield</strong> <strong>Ltd</strong>. (SL), concerning the interpretation of swath bathymetry recordsheld by SL. It <strong>for</strong>ms part of a larger investigation of the sources, sinks <strong>and</strong> transportpathways of radioactive ‘particles’ found along the <strong>for</strong>eshore near <strong>Sellafield</strong>, Cumbria.Originally Cefas was sub-contracted to Westlakes Scientific Consulting <strong>Ltd</strong>. (WSCL), onbehalf of <strong>Sellafield</strong>, <strong>and</strong> an interim report was submitted to WLSC in April <strong>2010</strong>, be<strong>for</strong>e thecompany went into Administration. This report represents a summary of the findings <strong>and</strong> isthe key deliverable.1.2 ObjectivesThe objectives of this project were to:1. Analyse <strong>and</strong> interpret the 2009 survey swath bathymetry data held by SL;2. Compare the 2009 survey data with similar data from 2002 to establishchanges in bathymetry <strong>and</strong> bed<strong>for</strong>m characteristics;3. Acquire <strong>and</strong> analyse adjacent nearshore single beam bathymetry data fromSeazone Solutions <strong>Ltd</strong>., to extend the available bathymetry shoreward; <strong>and</strong>4. <strong>Report</strong> findings with particular reference to in<strong>for</strong>ming the sampling design ofthe offshore monitoring programme, the sampling design of a deliberatetracer release, <strong>and</strong> in<strong>for</strong>ming model parameterisation.Objective 1 had a completion date <strong>for</strong> March <strong>2010</strong> with subsequent objectives to bedelivered in the FY10/<strong>11</strong>.2. MethodsSwath or multibeam bathymetry provides a detailed picture of the depth <strong>and</strong> seabedmorphology. Images can be interpreted to provide in<strong>for</strong>mation about the spatial scale <strong>and</strong>extent of different bed<strong>for</strong>ms (e.g. scour pits, ripples; Figure 1). This in turn can be used: <strong>for</strong>planning sampling/measuring strategies (e.g. to identify the presence of ‘difficult’ ground <strong>for</strong>sampling); to estimate potential burial depths; to collate with other oceanographicmeasurements, such as current meters; to delineate habitats, <strong>and</strong> assist in the identificationof species <strong>for</strong> risk assessment; <strong>and</strong>, <strong>for</strong> in<strong>for</strong>ming the parameterisation of hydrodynamicmodels. Where time-series data are available these can be used to assess changes in thebathymetry <strong>and</strong> bed<strong>for</strong>m characteristics. Single beam bathymetry can provide in<strong>for</strong>mationabout bed height where swath data are lacking.
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