Sunken Nuclear Submarine Continues to Leak Radioactive Material, but Experts Aren't Worried

A Cold War submarine that sank in 1989 is still leaking radioactive material into the water off of Norway

The Soviet Komsomolets was carrying nuclear fuel when it went down amid a fire, killing dozens

Years later and studies continue to show that radioactivity is higher than normal around the vessel

A sunken Cold War nuclear submarine continues to leak radioactive material into the Norwegian Sea, a new study has found, though researchers believe "there is little evidence" it is building up in the water.

The Soviet Komsomolets went below the waves during a fire in April 1989; 42 people died.

In the decades since, both Russian and outside officials have continued to monitor the vessel because of its store of nuclear fuel.

And while the vessel is still leaking radiation, research published earlier this month in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences did not show significant cause for alarm.

"It was confirmed that releases from the reactor were still occurring, but not continuously," the study's authors wrote.

They added: "Despite that releases from the reactor ... there is little evidence of any accumulation of radionuclides in the near environment around the submarine as the released radionuclides appear to be rapidly diluted in the surrounding seawater."

"No evidence was found of any plutonium in the near environment around the damaged forward section of the submarine from the nuclear warheads," the study's authors wrote.

That echoes what experts have previously determined: that the radiation, while notable, dilutes quickly in the water not far from the submarine.

A co-author of the new study, marine radioecologist Justin Gwynn, of the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, said that much of the sub is still intact under the water.

“Apart from the very obvious damage to the forward section and in particular the torpedo compartment, the submarine looks like it sank the same day (as we were looking at it) rather than 30 years ago,” Gwynn told Gizmodo via email. “It’s just sitting upright on the seafloor.”

During the Cold War era, the Soviets believed it would be too costly and much too risky to fully remove the submarine from the water and dispose of it, Gwynn told Gizmodo.

“Any potential release to the atmosphere during any salvage operation could result in contamination deposited on land that would likely have far greater and longer-term impact,” he said.

The new study also found that "the nuclear fuel in the reactor is corroding."

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The study's authors recommend further monitoring and investigation as the leaks continue.

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