Predicting exposure of wildlife in radionuclide contaminated wetland ecosystems

Stark, K.; Andersson, P.; Beresford, N.A.; Yankovich, T.L.; Wood, M.D.; Johansen, M.P.; Vives i Battle, J.; Twining, J.; Keum, D.-K.; Bollhofer, A.; Doering, C.; Ryan, B.; Grzechnik, M.; Vandenhove, H.. 2015 Predicting exposure of wildlife in radionuclide contaminated wetland ecosystems. Environmental Pollution, 196. 201-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2014.10.012

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2014.10.012

Abstract/Summary

Many wetlands support high biodiversity and are protected sites, but some are contaminated with radionuclides from routine or accidental releases from nuclear facilities. This radiation exposure needs to be assessed to demonstrate radiological protection of the environment. Existing biota dose models cover generic terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, not wetlands specifically. This paper, which was produced under IAEA's Environmental Modelling for Radiation Safety (EMRAS) II programme, describes an evaluation of how models can be applied to radionuclide contaminated wetlands. Participants used combinations of aquatic and terrestrial model parameters to assess exposure. Results show the importance of occupancy factor and food source (aquatic or terrestrial) included. The influence of soil saturation conditions on external dose rates is also apparent. In general, terrestrial parameters provided acceptable predictions for wetland organisms. However, occasionally predictions varied by three orders of magnitude between assessors. Possible further developments for biota dose models and research needs are identified.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2014.10.012
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Shore
ISSN:	0269-7491
Additional Keywords:	radioecology, biota dose model, radiation dose, swamp, 137cesium, 14carbon
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	05 Nov 2014 14:54 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/508717

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2014.10.012

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Shore

ISSN:

0269-7491

Additional Keywords:

radioecology, biota dose model, radiation dose, swamp, 137cesium, 14carbon

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment