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Koppel DJ, Kho F, Hastings A, Crouch D, MacIntosh A, Cresswell T, Higgins S. Current understanding and research needs for ecological risk assessments of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in subsea oil and gas pipelines. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 241:106774. [PMID: 34823203 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Thousands of offshore oil and gas facilities are coming to the end of their life in jurisdictions worldwide and will require decommissioning. In-situ decommissioning, where the subsea components of that infrastructure are left in the marine environment following the end of its productive life, has been proposed as an option that delivers net benefits, including from: ecological benefits from the establishment of artificial reefs, economic benefits from associated fisheries, reduced costs and improved human safety outcomes for operators. However, potential negative impacts, such as the ecological risk of residual contaminants, are not well understood. Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) are a class of contaminants found in some oil and gas infrastructure (e.g. pipelines) and includes radionuclides of uranium, thorium, radium, radon, lead, and polonium. NORM are ubiquitous in oil and gas reservoirs around the world and may form contamination products including scales and sludges in subsea infrastructure due to their chemistries and the physical processes of oil and gas extraction. The risk that NORM from these sources pose to marine ecosystems is not yet understood meaning that decisions made about decommissioning may not deliver the best outcomes for environments. In this review, we consider the life of NORM-contamination products in oil and gas systems, their expected exposure pathways in the marine environment, and possible ecological impacts following release. These are accompanied by the key research priorities that need to better describe risk associated with decommissioning options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren J Koppel
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; CSIRO Land and Water, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia.
| | - Fenny Kho
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; Curtin Corrosion Center, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | | | - Dean Crouch
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Amy MacIntosh
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tom Cresswell
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart Higgins
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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Vives I Batlle J, Aoyama M, Bradshaw C, Brown J, Buesseler KO, Casacuberta N, Christl M, Duffa C, Impens NREN, Iosjpe M, Masqué P, Nishikawa J. Marine radioecology after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident: Are we better positioned to understand the impact of radionuclides in marine ecosystems? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 618:80-92. [PMID: 29127871 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This paper focuses on how a community of researchers under the COMET (CO-ordination and iMplementation of a pan European projecT for radioecology) project has improved the capacity of marine radioecology to understand at the process level the behaviour of radionuclides in the marine environment, uptake by organisms and the resulting doses after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident occurred in 2011. We present new radioecological understanding of the processes involved, such as the interaction of waterborne radionuclides with suspended particles and sediments or the biological uptake and turnover of radionuclides, which have been better quantified and mathematically described. We demonstrate that biokinetic models can better represent radionuclide transfer to biota in non-equilibrium situations, bringing more realism to predictions, especially when combining physical, chemical and biological interactions that occur in such an open and dynamic environment as the ocean. As a result, we are readier now than we were before the FDNPP accident in terms of having models that can be applied to dynamic situations. The paper concludes with our vision for marine radioecology as a fundamental research discipline and we present a strategy for our discipline at the European and international levels. The lessons learned are presented along with their possible applicability to assess/reduce the environmental consequences of future accidents to the marine environment and guidance for future research, as well as to assure the sustainability of marine radioecology. This guidance necessarily reflects on why and where further research funding is needed, signalling the way for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Vives I Batlle
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - M Aoyama
- Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, Fukushima 960-1296, Japan
| | - C Bradshaw
- Department of Ecology, Environment, and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Brown
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA), Department of Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Radioactivity, Grini Næringspark 13, Postbox 55, NO-1332, Østerås, Norway
| | - K O Buesseler
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, United States
| | - N Casacuberta
- Laboratory of Ion Beam Physics, ETH-Zurich, Otto Stern Weg 5, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland; Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, Environmental Physics, ETH-Zurich, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M Christl
- Laboratory of Ion Beam Physics, ETH-Zurich, Otto Stern Weg 5, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - C Duffa
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), Centre de Cadarache, 13115 St Paul Lez Durance, France
| | - N R E N Impens
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - M Iosjpe
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA), Department of Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Radioactivity, Grini Næringspark 13, Postbox 55, NO-1332, Østerås, Norway
| | - P Masqué
- School of Science and Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia; Departament de Física & Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - J Nishikawa
- School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokai University, Shizuoka 424-8610, Japan
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Vives I Batlle J. Impact of the Fukushima accident on marine biota, five years later. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2016; 12:654-658. [PMID: 27447852 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.1825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In a previous commentary written in 2011 in the aftermath of the Fukushima accident in Japan, I summarized what was then understood about the effects of accidental radioactive discharges to marine life and forecasted into the future how the marine environment would likely be affected. Since that time, several studies have been conducted on the impact of the accident on marine organisms, and radiation doses arising thereof. I developed a dynamic transfer model for studying the bioaccumulation of Fukushima radionuclides in marine biota and assessed the impact and likelihood of effects to marine life. In the present article, I highlight the lessons learned over the past 5 years. I address whether the environmental consequences in the marine environment are as significant as initially feared and, with respect to the current situation, what remains to be investigated as the radioactivity continues to spread in the marine environment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:654-658. © 2016 SETAC.
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Vives I Batlle J, Beresford NA, Beaugelin-Seiller K, Bezhenar R, Brown J, Cheng JJ, Ćujić M, Dragović S, Duffa C, Fiévet B, Hosseini A, Jung KT, Kamboj S, Keum DK, Kryshev A, LePoire D, Maderich V, Min BI, Periáñez R, Sazykina T, Suh KS, Yu C, Wang C, Heling R. Inter-comparison of dynamic models for radionuclide transfer to marine biota in a Fukushima accident scenario. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 153:31-50. [PMID: 26717350 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We report an inter-comparison of eight models designed to predict the radiological exposure of radionuclides in marine biota. The models were required to simulate dynamically the uptake and turnover of radionuclides by marine organisms. Model predictions of radionuclide uptake and turnover using kinetic calculations based on biological half-life (TB1/2) and/or more complex metabolic modelling approaches were used to predict activity concentrations and, consequently, dose rates of (90)Sr, (131)I and (137)Cs to fish, crustaceans, macroalgae and molluscs under circumstances where the water concentrations are changing with time. For comparison, the ERICA Tool, a model commonly used in environmental assessment, and which uses equilibrium concentration ratios, was also used. As input to the models we used hydrodynamic forecasts of water and sediment activity concentrations using a simulated scenario reflecting the Fukushima accident releases. Although model variability is important, the intercomparison gives logical results, in that the dynamic models predict consistently a pattern of delayed rise of activity concentration in biota and slow decline instead of the instantaneous equilibrium with the activity concentration in seawater predicted by the ERICA Tool. The differences between ERICA and the dynamic models increase the shorter the TB1/2 becomes; however, there is significant variability between models, underpinned by parameter and methodological differences between them. The need to validate the dynamic models used in this intercomparison has been highlighted, particularly in regards to optimisation of the model biokinetic parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Vives I Batlle
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
| | - N A Beresford
- NERC - Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Library Avenue, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
| | | | - R Bezhenar
- Institute of Mathematical Machine and System Problems, Glushkov Av., 42, Kiev 03187, Ukraine
| | - J Brown
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Grini Næringspark 13, P.O. Box 55, NO-1332 Østerås, Norway
| | - J-J Cheng
- Argonne National Laboratory, Environmental Science Division, 9700 South Cass Avenue, EVS/Bldg 240, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - M Ćujić
- University of Belgrade, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, Banatska 31b, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - S Dragović
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, P.O. Box 522, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - C Duffa
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV, France
| | - B Fiévet
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV, France
| | - A Hosseini
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Grini Næringspark 13, P.O. Box 55, NO-1332 Østerås, Norway
| | - K T Jung
- Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, 787, Haean-ro, Ansan 426-744, Republic of Korea
| | - S Kamboj
- Argonne National Laboratory, Environmental Science Division, 9700 South Cass Avenue, EVS/Bldg 240, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - D-K Keum
- KAERI - Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 150 Deokjindong, Yu Song, P.O. Box 105, 305-353 Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - A Kryshev
- Research and Production Association "Typhoon", 4 Pobedy Str., Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249038, Russia
| | - D LePoire
- Argonne National Laboratory, Environmental Science Division, 9700 South Cass Avenue, EVS/Bldg 240, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - V Maderich
- Institute of Mathematical Machine and System Problems, Glushkov Av., 42, Kiev 03187, Ukraine
| | - B-I Min
- KAERI - Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 150 Deokjindong, Yu Song, P.O. Box 105, 305-353 Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - R Periáñez
- Departamento de Física Aplicada I, University of Seville, Carretera de Utrera km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - T Sazykina
- Research and Production Association "Typhoon", 4 Pobedy Str., Obninsk, Kaluga Region 249038, Russia
| | - K-S Suh
- KAERI - Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 150 Deokjindong, Yu Song, P.O. Box 105, 305-353 Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - C Yu
- Argonne National Laboratory, Environmental Science Division, 9700 South Cass Avenue, EVS/Bldg 240, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - C Wang
- Argonne National Laboratory, Environmental Science Division, 9700 South Cass Avenue, EVS/Bldg 240, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - R Heling
- NRG, Utrechtseweg 310, 6800 ES Arnhem, The Netherlands
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Pinder JE, Rowan DJ, Smith JT. Development and evaluation of a regression-based model to predict cesium-137 concentration ratios for saltwater fish. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 152:101-111. [PMID: 26675543 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Data from published studies and World Wide Web sources were combined to develop a regression model to predict (137)Cs concentration ratios for saltwater fish. Predictions were developed from 1) numeric trophic levels computed primarily from random resampling of known food items and 2) K concentrations in the saltwater for 65 samplings from 41 different species from both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. A number of different models were initially developed and evaluated for accuracy which was assessed as the ratios of independently measured concentration ratios to those predicted by the model. In contrast to freshwater systems, were K concentrations are highly variable and are an important factor in affecting fish concentration ratios, the less variable K concentrations in saltwater were relatively unimportant in affecting concentration ratios. As a result, the simplest model, which used only trophic level as a predictor, had comparable accuracies to more complex models that also included K concentrations. A test of model accuracy involving comparisons of 56 published concentration ratios from 51 species of marine fish to those predicted by the model indicated that 52 of the predicted concentration ratios were within a factor of 2 of the observed concentration ratios.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Pinder
- Department of Radiological and Environmental Health Sciences, Colorado State University, 305 W. Magnolia, PMB 231, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA.
| | - David J Rowan
- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River Laboratories, Chalk River, Ontario K0J 1J0, Canada.
| | - Jim T Smith
- School of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth P01 3 QL, United Kingdom.
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Vives i Batlle J. Dynamic modelling of radionuclide uptake by marine biota: application to the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 151 Pt 2:502-511. [PMID: 25773012 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The dynamic model D-DAT was developed to study the dynamics of radionuclide uptake and turnover in biota and sediments in the immediate aftermath of the Fukushima accident. This dynamics is determined by the interplay between the residence time of radionuclides in seawater/sediments and the biological half-lives of elimination by the biota. The model calculates time-variable activity concentration of (131)I, (134)Cs, (137)Cs and (90)Sr in seabed sediment, fish, crustaceans, molluscs and macroalgae from surrounding activity concentrations in seawater, with which to derive internal and external dose rates. A central element of the model is the inclusion of dynamic transfer of radionuclides to/from sediments by factorising the depletion of radionuclides adsorbed onto suspended particulates, molecular diffusion, pore water mixing and bioturbation, represented by a simple set of differential equations coupled with the biological uptake/turnover processes. In this way, the model is capable of reproducing activity concentration in sediment more realistically. The model was used to assess the radiological impact of the Fukushima accident on marine biota in the acute phase of the accident. Sediment and biota activity concentrations are within the wide range of actual monitoring data. Activity concentrations in marine biota are thus shown to be better calculated by a dynamic model than with the simpler equilibrium approach based on concentration factors, which tends to overestimate for the acute accident period. Modelled dose rates from external exposure from sediment are also significantly below equilibrium predictions. The model calculations confirm previous studies showing that radioactivity levels in marine biota have been generally below the levels necessary to cause a measurable effect on populations. The model was used in mass-balance mode to calculate total integrated releases of 103, 30 and 3 PBq for (131)I, (137)Cs and (90)Sr, reasonably in line with previous estimates.
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Vives i Batlle J. Exposures and effects in the marine environment after the Fukushima accident. Ann ICRP 2015; 44:331-346. [PMID: 25816283 DOI: 10.1177/0146645315576099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Radiation doses to marine biota near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have been estimated for the immediate aftermath and subsequent period of the accident. Dose estimations using monitoring data have been complemented by means of dynamic transfer modelling, improving on the more traditional equilibrium transfer approach. Earlier assessments using equilibrium transfer models overestimated the exposures in the immediate aftermath of the accident, whereas dynamic transfer modelling brings them more in line with the doses calculated from monitored activity concentrations in the biota. On that basis, marine biota populations in the vicinity of Fukushima do not seem to be at significant risk. The situation in the late post-accident period shows a tendency for lower exposures, but radiocaesium in sediments and biota persists to this day, with some organisms inhabiting local hotspots. Little is known about how long radionuclides will continue to remain in the local environment, or the long-term effects on populations due to limited knowledge on the effects of chronic radiation exposures to marine organisms. Therefore, the marine environment at Fukushima needs further study. The Fukushima nuclear accident remains an ongoing problem for marine radioecology, requiring constant re-evaluation of the cumulative extent of contamination and effects on the environment for years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Vives i Batlle
- Biosphere Impact Studies Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
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Biermans G, Horemans N, Hens N, Vives i Batlle J, Vandenhove H, Cuypers A. A dynamic dosimetry model for radioactive exposure scenarios in Arabidopsis thaliana. J Theor Biol 2014; 347:54-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2014.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Revised: 01/07/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Tagami K, Uchida S. Marine and freshwater concentration ratios (CR(wo-water)): review of Japanese data. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 126:420-426. [PMID: 22770770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Revised: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 06/11/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The water-to-organism (whole body) concentration ratio (CR(wo-water)), which is defined as the ratio of the concentration of a radionuclide in the biota (Bq kg(-1) fresh weight) to that in water (Bq L(-1)), has been used in mathematical models for environmental radiation protection. In the present paper, published global fallout (90)Sr, (137)Cs, (106)Ru, (144)Ce and (239+240)Pu activity concentration data and stable element concentration data for Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu and Mn for organisms living in freshwater or seawater areas in Japan were collated. The data suitable for obtaining CR(wo-water) values were identified. CR(wo-water) values of (137)Cs were similar for pelagic fish, benthic fish and whitebait (immature, small fish) with respective geometric means of 30 (range: 4.4-69), 32 (range: 15-54) and 33 (range: 13-84). The calculated CR(wo-water) values of the other radionuclides and stable elements were generally similar to other previously reported values; with the exception that those for Ce were lower for marine biota and those of Cu were higher for freshwater fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Tagami
- Office of Biospheric Assessment for Waste Disposal, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan.
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Howard BJ. A new IAEA handbook quantifying the transfer of radionuclides to wildlife for assessment tools. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 126:284-287. [PMID: 24321845 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- B J Howard
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Av., Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom.
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