Environmental Consequences of Nuclear Tests in the Ocean: A Comprehensive Review

Oceanic nuclear weapons testing, particularly between 1946 and 1958, has left lasting ecological scars, yet also revealed remarkable resilience in marine ecosystems. A comprehensive review highlights the paradox of coral reef recovery at Bikini Atoll despite severe immediate disruption from shockwaves, thermal effects, and habitat destruction. The study synthesizes data from multiple test sites—Bikini and Enewetak Atolls (Marshall Islands), Mururoa Atoll (French Polynesia), Chernaya Bay (Novaya Zemlya), and the Montebello Islands (Australia)—to examine long-term radionuclide contamination in sediments, water columns, and marine food webs. Case studies, such as sea turtles acting as 'swimming tree rings' recording nuclear history and plutonium transport from Chernaya Bay to the Arctic Ocean, underscore the persistence of radioactive fallout. The review proposes an integrated framework for environmental monitoring and remediation, aligning with nuclear justice objectives and sustainable development goals.

Jorbenadze, M. (2026). Environmental Consequences of Nuclear Tests in the Ocean: A Comprehensive Review. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.22285527