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Groma V, Madas B, Rauser F, Birschwilks M, Blume A, Real A, Murakas R, Michalik B, Paiva I, Sjømoen TM, Tkaczyk AH, Popic JM. Quantitative stakeholder-driven assessment of radiation protection issues via a PIANOFORTE online survey. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2024:10.1007/s00411-024-01084-1. [PMID: 39020222 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-024-01084-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
To enhance stakeholder engagement and foster the inclusion of interests of citizens in radiation protection research, a comprehensive online survey was developed within the framework of the European Partnership PIANOFORTE. This survey was performed in 2022 and presented an opportunity for a wide range of stakeholders to voice their opinions on research priorities in radiation protection for the foreseeable future. Simultaneously, it delved into pertinent issues surrounding general radiation protection. The PIANOFORTE e-survey was conducted in the English language, accommodating a diverse range of participants. Overall, 440 respondents provided their insights and feedback, representing a broad geographical reach encompassing 29 European countries, as well as Canada, China, Colombia, India, and the United States. To assess the outcomes, the Positive Matrix Factorization numerical model was applied, in addition to qualitative and quantitative assessment of individual responses, enabling the discernment of four distinct stakeholder groups with varying attitudes. While the questionnaire may not fully represent all stakeholders due to the limited respondent pool, it is noteworthy that approximately 70% of the participants were newcomers to comparable surveys, demonstrating a proactive attitude, a strong willingness to collaborate and the necessity to continuously engage with stakeholder groups. Among the individual respondents, distinct opinions emerged particularly regarding health effects of radiation exposure, medical use of radiation, radiation protection of workers and the public, as well as emergency and recovery preparedness and response. In cluster analysis, none of the identified groups had clear preferences concerning the prioritization of future radiation protection research topics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Groma
- Environmental Physics Department, HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Balázs Madas
- Environmental Physics Department, HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research, Budapest, Hungary.
| | | | | | - Andreas Blume
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, BfS, Germany
| | - Almudena Real
- Research Centre on Energy, Environment and Technology, CIEMAT, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rein Murakas
- Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Rein Murakas Consulting, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Boguslaw Michalik
- Silesian Centre for Environmental Radioactivity, Central Mining Institute, Katowice, Poland
| | - Isabel Paiva
- Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Sciences, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Alan H Tkaczyk
- Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Brown J, Popic JM, Robinson C, Smith K. The fifth International Conference on Radioecology and Environmental Radioactivity, 2022 (ICRER-2022). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2024; 272:107360. [PMID: 38143230 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Justin Brown
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), Grini Næringspark 13, 1861 Østerås, Norway.
| | - Jelena Mrdakovic Popic
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), Grini Næringspark 13, 1861 Østerås, Norway
| | - Carol Robinson
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), Grini Næringspark 13, 1861 Østerås, Norway
| | - Karen Smith
- RadEcol Consulting Ltd, 5 The Chambers, Vineyard, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3PX, United Kingdom
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de With G, Vives I Batlle J, Bezhenar R, Maderich V, Pérez FF, Tacu A. Comparison of methods for the radiological impact assessment of aquatic releases to the waters in the low countries. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2023; 270:107271. [PMID: 37586186 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Accurate assessment of the radiological impact of liquid discharges on the marine environment is challenging despite all developments in recent years. The lack of consensus on this type of assessment manifests itself even stronger when transborder issues are expected, such as in the Low Countries. Belgium and the Netherlands operate nuclear power plants with discharges in the shared estuary of the Western Scheldt, therefore if there are safety concerns, information on both sides of the border must be coherent. This work provides a comparison of two computational methods used for assessment of aquatic releases in the Western Scheldt estuary and the adjacent North Sea.The work demonstrates a fair degree of consistency in modelling the uptake and fate of key anthropogenic radionuclides. Nevertheless, there are also considerable differences found in sediment and sea species with concentrations ranging by over two orders of magnitude in some cases. These explainable differences are methodological in nature, occurring in codes that underwent extensive validation during development. Therefore, the outcomes of this work clearly demonstrate the need to produce explicit guidance that is specifically tailored to the (inter)national water system of concern. This should not be limited to releases from nuclear power plants, but also include other nuclear applications. For all these reasons, more intensive collaboration and model harmonisation across borders is essential, signalling the direction for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- G de With
- Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), Utrechtseweg 310, NL-6800, ES Arnhem, the Netherlands.
| | - J Vives I Batlle
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, BE-2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - R Bezhenar
- Institute of Mathematical Machine and System Problems, Glushkov Av., 42, Kyiv, 03187, Ukraine
| | - V Maderich
- Institute of Mathematical Machine and System Problems, Glushkov Av., 42, Kyiv, 03187, Ukraine
| | | | - A Tacu
- Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), Utrechtseweg 310, NL-6800, ES Arnhem, the Netherlands
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Mrdakovic Popic J, Haanes H, Di Carlo C, Nuccetelli C, Venoso G, Leonardi F, Trevisi R, Trotti F, Ugolini R, Dvorzhak A, Escribano A, Perez Sanchez D, Real A, Michalik B, Pannecoucke L, Blanchart P, Kallio A, Pereira R, Lourenço J, Skipperud L, Jerome S, Fevrier L. Tools for harmonized data collection at exposure situations with naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 175:107954. [PMID: 37187003 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) contribute to the dose arising from radiation exposure for workers, public and non-human biota in different working and environmental conditions. Within the EURATOM Horizon 2020 RadoNorm project, work is ongoing to identify NORM exposure situations and scenarios in European countries and to collect qualitative and quantitative data of relevance for radiation protection. The data obtained will contribute to improved understanding of the extent of activities involving NORM, radionuclide behaviours and the associated radiation exposure, and will provide an insight into related scientific, practical and regulatory challenges. The development of a tiered methodology for identification of NORM exposure situations and complementary tools to support uniform data collection were the first activities in the mentioned project NORM work. While NORM identification methodology is given in Michalik et al., 2023, in this paper, the main details of tools for NORM data collection are presented and they are made publicly available. The tools are a series of NORM registers in Microsoft Excel form, that have been comprehensively designed to help (a) identify the main NORM issues of radiation protection concern at given exposure situations, (b) gain an overview of materials involved (i.e., raw materials, products, by-products, residues, effluents), c) collect qualitative and quantitative data on NORM, and (d) characterise multiple hazards exposure scenarios and make further steps towards development of an integrated risk and exposure dose assessment for workers, public and non-human biota. Furthermore, the NORM registers ensure standardised and unified characterisation of NORM situations in a manner that supports and complements the effective management and regulatory control of NORM processes, products and wastes, and related exposures to natural radiation worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Mrdakovic Popic
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), Grini Næringspark, 13, Østerås, Norway.
| | - Hallvard Haanes
- Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), Grini Næringspark, 13, Østerås, Norway
| | - Christian Di Carlo
- National Institute of Health (ISS), National Centre for Radiation Protection and Computational Physics, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Nuccetelli
- National Institute of Health (ISS), National Centre for Radiation Protection and Computational Physics, Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Venoso
- National Institute of Health (ISS), National Centre for Radiation Protection and Computational Physics, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Leonardi
- National Institute for Insurance Against Accidents at Work (INAIL), DiMEILA, Monteporzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosabianca Trevisi
- National Institute for Insurance Against Accidents at Work (INAIL), DiMEILA, Monteporzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavio Trotti
- Environmental Protection Agency of Veneto (ARPAV), Verona, Italy
| | | | - Alla Dvorzhak
- Research Centre on Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Alicia Escribano
- Research Centre on Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Danyl Perez Sanchez
- Research Centre on Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Almudena Real
- Research Centre on Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), Av. Complutense 40, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Boguslaw Michalik
- Central Mining Institute, Silesian Centre for Environmental Radioactivity (GIG), Plac Gwarków, 1, 40-166 Katowice, Poland
| | - Lea Pannecoucke
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, IRSN/PSE-ENV/SEDRE, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Pascale Blanchart
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, IRSN/PSE-ENV/SEDRE, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Antti Kallio
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, (STUK), Lähteentie 2, 96400 Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Ruth Pereira
- GreenUPorto - Sustainable Agrifood Production Research Centre/Inov4Agro, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto, Campus de Vairão, Rua de Agrária, 747, Vila do Conde, Portugal
| | - Joana Lourenço
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitario de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Lindis Skipperud
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Environmental Chemistry Section, P. O. Box 5003, 1432 Aas, Norway
| | - Simon Jerome
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Environmental Chemistry Section, P. O. Box 5003, 1432 Aas, Norway
| | - Laureline Fevrier
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, IRSN/PSE-ENV/SRTE, 13115 Saint Paul-lez-Durance Cedex, France
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Skoko B, Kovačić M, Lazarus M, Sekovanić A, Kovačić J, Sergiel A, Zwijacz-Kozica T, Reljić S, Petrinec B, Selva N, Huber Đ. 90Sr and stable element levels in bones of brown bears: long-term trends in bear populations from Croatia and Poland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:32507-32522. [PMID: 36460888 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24397-4] [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: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal trends and geographical differences in 90Sr and stable element (Ba, Ca, Mn, Sr, Pb, Zn) levels in the bones of Croatian and Polish brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations. Experimental data suggest that in the decades after nuclear weapon tests and the Chernobyl accident, 90Sr bone activity concentrations decreased from 352 to 11 Bq kg-1 in the Croatian bear population (period 1982-2015) and from 831 to 27 Bq kg-1 in Polish bears (period 1962-2020). Calculated effective and ecological half-lives were 9 and 13 years for Croatian bears, and 15 and 31 years for Polish bears, respectively. Different temporal trends were noted in levels of Ba, Mn, Pb and Zn between the two countries with majority of bones having lower Pb, Sr and Zn in Croatian than in Polish bears. Estimated values for the soil-to-bear transfer of 90Sr were the same order of magnitude in the studied populations. Contrary to this, the estimated transfer of stable Sr was an order of magnitude lower for the Croatian bear population compared to Polish bears. The observed differences in soil-to-bear transfer between stable Sr and 90Sr found for Croatian bears might suggest the need for careful consideration on the use of stable Sr data as an analogue for 90Sr. To our knowledge, this is the first study that analysed 90Sr activity in tissue of brown bears. As such, it provides insight into the fate and behaviour of one of the most relevant anthropogenic radionuclides at the top of the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Božena Skoko
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Milica Kovačić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Lazarus
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Ankica Sekovanić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jelena Kovačić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Agnieszka Sergiel
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Slaven Reljić
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Heinzelova Ulica 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Branko Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nuria Selva
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | - Đuro Huber
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Heinzelova Ulica 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Skoko B, Brkanac SR, Kuharić Ž, Jukić M, Štrok M, Rovan L, Zgorelec Ž, Perčin A, Prlić I. Does exposure to weathered coal ash with an enhanced content of uranium-series radionuclides affect flora? Changes in the physiological indicators of five referent plant species. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 441:129880. [PMID: 36067557 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Coal ash deposited in open landfills is a potential source of environmental pollutants due to the contained toxic element content. The weathered coal ash used in this study additionally contains enhanced activity concentrations of 238U series radionuclides. This study aimed to determine the physiological effects of enhanced ionizing radiation and toxic elements on five plant species (smilo grass, sticky fleabane, blackberry, mastic and pine tree) inhabiting the coal ash disposal site. Among the potentially toxic measured elements, contents of Sb, As and especially V significantly exceeded their respective levels at the control site, as well as the content of 238U and its progenies. Significant changes in photosynthetic pigments were recorded following chronic exposure to the plants growing on the coal ash site. Different responses were also observed in the plant species regarding the activity of catalase and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). The level of lipid peroxidation markedly increased in plants from the disposal site, except in blackberry, wherein GST activity was the strongest, indicating an important role of that enzyme in the adaptation to coal ash pollutants. The results of this study suggest that the modulation of the studied biochemical parameters in plants growing on coal ash is primarily species-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Božena Skoko
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Sandra Radić Brkanac
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Željka Kuharić
- Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Mirogojska 16, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Mirela Jukić
- Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health, Mirogojska 16, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Marko Štrok
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Leja Rovan
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Željka Zgorelec
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Aleksandra Perčin
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Ivica Prlić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Roivainen P, Muurinen SM, Sorvari J, Juutilainen J, Naarala J, Salomaa S. Transfer of elements into boreal forest ants at a former uranium mining site. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 304:119231. [PMID: 35358630 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119231] [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: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ants can influence ecological processes, such as the transfer of elements or radionuclides, in several ways. For example, they redistribute materials while foraging and maintaining their nests and have an important role in terrestrial food webs. Quantitative data of the transfer of elements into ants is needed, e.g., for developing improved radioecological models. In this study, samples of red wood ants (genus Formica), nest material, litter and soil were collected from a former uranium mining site in Eastern Finland. Concentrations of 33 elements were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy/Optical Emission Spectroscopy. Estimated element concentrations in spruce needles were used as a proxy for studying the transfer of elements into ants via aphids because spruces host the most important aphid farms in boreal forests. Empirically determined organism/medium concentration ratios (CRs) are commonly used in radioecological models. Ant/soil CRs were calculated and the validity of the fundamental assumption behind the of use of CRs (linear transfer) was evaluated. Elements that accumulated in ants in comparison to other compartments were cadmium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, and zinc. Ant uranium concentrations were low in comparison to soil, litter, or nest material but slightly elevated in comparison to spruce needles. Ant element concentrations were quite constant regardless of the soil concentrations. Non-linear transfer models could therefore describe the soil-to-ant transfer better than conventional CRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Päivi Roivainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), P.O. Box 14, 00811 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Saara-Maria Muurinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), P.O. Box 14, 00811 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jouni Sorvari
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
| | - Jukka Juutilainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jonne Naarala
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sisko Salomaa
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), P.O. Box 14, 00811 Helsinki, Finland
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