Radioactivity, AMAP, 2025-2026

This project is based on the participation of Denmark and the Faroe Islands in the radioactivity group under the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP). Radioactivity is a key focus area within AMAP, as radioactive contamination of marine and terrestrial environments holds significant economic and health implications for the Greenlandic and Faroese communities, which traditionally rely on a clean and healthy environment.

The project involves collecting and analyzing marine and terrestrial samples from around Greenland and the Faroe Islands for the presence of man-made radioactive substances. These substances originate from atmospheric fallout due to nuclear weapons testing, nuclear power plant accidents, and routine discharges from nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities.

The primary focus is long-term, time-series monitoring of intermediate- to long-lived man-made radionuclides in the marine environments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The data will be used to demonstrate the long-range transport of radioactive contamination via ocean currents in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.

In addition, select terrestrial samples will be analyzed to detect potential atmospheric dispersion of radioactive substances to Greenland and the Faroe Islands. A limited number of samples will also be tested for naturally occurring radionuclides, to maintain existing long-term baseline data and to monitor for any increases in naturally enriched or technologically elevated levels of radioactivity in the environment.

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This project is a joint effort by Denmark and the Faroe Islands as part of a group that studies radioactivity in the Arctic, under a program called AMAP. Radioactivity is an important issue because it can affect both the environment and the health of people in Greenland and the Faroe Islands, where many still rely on clean nature for food and daily life.

The project involves taking samples from the sea and land in and around Greenland and the Faroe Islands. These samples are checked for man-made radioactive substances, which can come from things like old nuclear weapons tests, nuclear power plant accidents, or waste released from nuclear facilities.

The main goal is to keep track of how these radioactive materials move through the ocean over time. This helps scientists understand how pollution from faraway places can reach the Arctic through ocean currents.

Some samples from land are also tested to see if radioactive materials might have arrived through the air. On top of that, a few samples will be tested for natural radioactivity. This helps scientists spot any unusual increases and keep long-term records of what’s normal for the region.