Assessing radiation impact at a protected coastal sand dune site: an intercomparison of models for estimating the radiological exposure of non-human biota

Citation

Wood MD, Beresford NA, Barnett CL, Copplestone D & Leah RT (2009) Assessing radiation impact at a protected coastal sand dune site: an intercomparison of models for estimating the radiological exposure of non-human biota. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 100 (12), pp. 1034-1052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2009.04.010

Abstract
This paper presents the application of three publicly available biota dose assessment models (the ERICA Tool, R&D128/SP1a and RESRAD-BIOTA) to an assessment of the Drigg coastal sand dunes. Using measured 90Sr, 99Tc, 137Cs, 238Pu, 239+240Pu and 241Am activity concentrations in sand dune soil, activity concentration and dose rate predictions are made for a range of organisms including amphibians, birds, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles, plants and fungi. Predicted biota activity concentrations are compared to measured data where available. The main source of variability in the model predictions is the transfer parameters used and it is concluded that developing the available transfer databases should be a focus of future research effort. The value of taking an informed user approach to investigate the way in which models may be expected to be applied in practice is highlighted and a strategy for the future development of intercomparison exercises is presented.

Keywords
Sand dune; Sellafield; Low-level waste repository; Ionising radiation; Non-human species; ERICA; RESRAD-BIOTA; Risk assessment

Journal
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity: Volume 100, Issue 12

People

Professor David Copplestone

Professor, Biological and Environmental Sciences