Improving and validating radioecology models

Tasks conducted in this topic area aimed to strengthen pan-European links between the radioecology and the emergency and post-accident communities. Joint research activities were conducted to improve and validate radioecological models of interest to both communities to ensure the better protection of humans and the environment following  existing, planned and emergency exposure situations.

INITIAL RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Figure Copyright ©: Mari Komperød-NRPA

Focused on:

  • Marine modelling
  • Forest modelling
  • Human food chain modelling
  • Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM)
  • Particle behaviour
  • Setting up reference sites according to the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommendation

NEW AND INNOVATIVE RESEARCH WERE INCORPORATED INTO THE PROJECT

Based on an external call which resulted in the association of FRAME (The impact of recent releases from the Fukushima nuclear accident on the marine environment) and RATE (RAdioactive particle Transformation procEsses) with the COMET project, 

Research 
Was organised in collaborative efforts over a broad spectrum of techniques and knowledge in the field, including expertise and disciplines outside those of traditional radioecology

Work 
Were focused on both basic physical and biological processes and on practical relevance and application to radiation protection. The work progressed using current state of the art in the relevant fields of marine radioecology linked with Fukushima (FRAME) and on particle behaviour (RATE). 

OBSERVATORIES FOR RADIOECOLOGICAL RESEARCH WERE SET UP

Radioecological research
Research results aimed to be validated using the observatory sites selected - the Chernobyl exclusion zone (Ukraine), Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland) and the Fukushima affected areas (Japan)

Long-term investigations
Were conducted leading to the improvement of methods and models and enhanced understanding of radionuclide behaviour, transfer and related exposure

Foster innovative co-operation
The observatories will foster innovative co-operation amongst the partners and over time the wider radioecological and stakeholder community will be involved in the development of a sustainable European Research Area in radioecology

For more information on the work to be conducted contact Astrid Liland