Calculating the radiological parameters used in non-human biota dose assessment tools using ERICA Tool and site-specific data

Abstract

The substantial complexity in ecosystem-radionuclide interactions is difficult to be represented in terms of radiological doses. Thus, radiological dose assessment tools use typical exposure situations for generalized organisms and ecosystems. In the present study, site-specific data and radioactivity measurements of terrestrial organisms (grass and herbivore mammals) and abiotic components (soil) are provided. The retrieved data are used in combination with the ERICA Assessment Tool for calculation of radiological parameters. The process of radionuclide transfer within ecosystem components is represented using concentration ratios (CRs), while for the calculation of dose rates the dose conversion coefficient (DCC) methodology is applied. Comparative assessments are performed between the generic and assessment-specific radiological parameters and between the resulting dose rates. Significant differences were observed between CRs calculated in this study and those reported in the literature for cesium and thorium, which can easily be explained. On the other hand, CRs calculated for radium are in very good agreement with those reported in the literature. The DCCs exhibited some small differences between the reference and the assessment-specific organism due to mass differences. The differences were observed for internal and external dose rates, but they were less pronounced for total dose rates which are typically used in the assessment of radiological impact. The results of the current work can serve as a basis for further studies of the radiological parameters in environments that have not been studied yet.

Radiological modeling in the environment

“…Finally, in Appendices, aspects concerning the conduction of this work are provided, as they were not included in the main text, in order to maintain the length of this work in reasonable levels, while they may be of particular interest. Florou H., Kitis G. (2017). Calculating the radiological parameters used in non-human biota dose assessment tools using ERICA Tool and site-specific data.…”

“…Comparison of two radiological impact assessment models using site-specific data. Under submission Florou H., Kitis G. (2017). Radiological parameters applied in nonhuman biota dose assessment tools are calculated using the ERICA Tool and sitespecific data.…”

“…All samples were transferred to the Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory (ERL) of the National Centre for Scientific Research -Demokritos‖ (NCSR'D'), Greece, where they were treated according to the protocols of ERL. The ERL has adopted protocols and methods (ERL 1992) based on the relevant international literature (IAEA 1989;Klement 1982;Sotiropoulou et al 2016Sotiropoulou et al , 2017USDoE 1997). The protocols of ERL were used for this work after the appropriate amendments and are described in detail in each relevant chapter.…”

“…The samples were treated according to the protocols of ERL (1992) and modified when considered necessary (Sotiropoulou et al 2016(Sotiropoulou et al , 2017. The protocols of ERL are adopted from the related international literature (Eisenbud 1987;IAEA 1989;Klement 1982;Florou 1992;Martin et al 1998;USDoE 1997USDoE , 2002.…”

“…Furthermore, the low degree (or absence) of equilibrium in organisms is explained by radionuclides' behaviour in the environment. Radionuclides transfer, uptake and accumulation are processes that are affected by the physicochemical and isotopic properties of radionuclides, by the soil characteristics and by the selective bioaccumulation of radionuclides to different tissues (Sheppard et al 2008;Sotiropoulou et al 2016Sotiropoulou et al , 2017 (Figures 6:9 -6:11).…”