📋 Tender Overview
Project Type
Coordinated Research Project
Project Code
K41023
CRP
2271
Approved Date
5 May 2022
Status
Active - Ongoing
Start Date
14 December 2022
Expected End Date
15 December 2027
Participating Countries
AustraliaBelarusChinaFranceIndonesiaIran (Islamic Republic of)JapanNorwaySri LankaUkraineUnited States of America
Description
Extreme diversity of the non-human biota creates a major challenge for environmental radiological impact assessment. The current international recommendations and dose coefficients for non-human biota (ICRP, 2008; ICRP, 2017) address this diversity via systematic use of generic models and data, which serve as a robust and practical framework for environmental dose assessment. Still, some gaps can be identified for terrestrial organisms, for which variability of environments and habitats cannot be comprehensively addressed by the existing generic methods and models. Experiences gained from the radiation accidents and legacy sites demonstrated that spatial variability of radioactive contamination, diversity of terrains and landscapes, behaviour and life activities of biota may contribute significantly to uncertainty and/or a strong systematic bias of dose estimates. Correspondingly, this project is planned to develop a robust probabilistic framework for assessment of external doses for terrestrial animals and plants, while adequately addressing and quantifying inherent uncertainties due to spatial distribution of radioactivity in the environment, soil structure, water content, types of vegetation, terrain, migration routes of animals. Development of the framework should be supported by field experimental and theoretical Monte Carlo simulation studies, probabilistic modelling and consideration of uncertainties. The project will be implemented in coordination with the Committee 2 "Doses from radiation exposure" of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) to facilitate further use of the project outcomes for improvement of the international recommendations on the dosimetry system for non-human biota.
Objectives
Improvement of knowledge on external dosimetry for non-human organisms in the terrestrial environments by developing new data and advanced models in order to support and facilitate enhancement of the current international scientific recommendations for the purposes of environmental radiological impact assessment.
Specific objectives
To advance external dosimetry methods and data for environmental radiological impact assessment
To provide a platform for effective cooperation and coordinated research for scientific teams from the Member States
To support enhancement of international scientifically-based recommendations on environmental dosimetry and radiological protection
