On some estimates, millions of curies of radioactive material have been intentionally dumped in oceans since the 1940s. Dumped material has originated both from civilian uses of nuclear energy and from military sources. The implications for ocean ecosystems of past dumping of radioactive waste are not fully known. Environmental concerns prompted a ban, agreed in the context of the London Dumping Convention, on the dumping of radioactive waste into the oceans. Continuing issues include finding optimal procedures for the decommissioning of nuclear submarines and proposals for sub-seabed disposal of radioactive waste.
In addition to intentional dumping, quantities of radioactive material have been accidentally released into the marine environment. Examples reportedly include the loss of an aircraft carrying nuclear materials for bombs, lost submarine-launched nuclear missiles, and an exploding reactor on a nuclear submarine.
The most important applicable legal instruments are the London Dumping Convention as amended and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
