F2 BAG3 Couverture-EN 24/11/06 16:15 Page 1
Safety of the Geological Research, Assessment, Storage of Radioactive Transmission of Knowledge Waste 200 Ionising Radiation Scientific and 5 and Human Health Safety of Installations, Accident Scenarios Technical Report
Radioactivity and Environment Severe Accidents and Crisis Anticipation
Radioactivity and Environment
2 Radioecology: working to describe, explain 2 and anticipate 2.1 Plutonium behaviour in marine sediments in 4 the Irish Sea and the Channel 2 2.2 Scientific contributions from the CAROL project 12 Camargue-Rhône-Languedoc 2.3 Radon in buildings: phenomenological study 18 newsflashnewsflashnewsflashnewsflashnewsflash 2.4 Development of management software for 23 interlaboratory tests on radioactivity measurements in environmental samples 2.5 CAPHEINE project Head office 2.6 The need for multi-disciplinary expertise: 24 77-83, avenue du Général-de-Gaulle example of the Camargue sand initiative 92140 Clamart - France Registered under Nanterre RCS B440 546 018 2.7 Current stance on radiological protection in the environment 25 2.8 Two publications on the state of the art in terms Telephone of protecting the environment from radioactivity following +33 (0)1 58 35 88 88 the ECORAD 2004 congress 2.9 EXTREME project: radionuclide redistribution 26 Postal address coinciding with intense climatic events B.P. 17 Variability of the washout coefficient of atmospheric contaminants 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex - France 2.10
Web site 2.11 Key dates - Position of authors in the IRSN 27 www.irsn.org organisational chart - Theses vivaed F2 BAG3 Couverture-EN 24/11/06 16:15 Page 2
The IRSN 2005 Scientific and Technical Report offers a summary of the scientific projects from 2004-2005 which reached a milestone in their work. This document could not have been prepared without the collaboration of the Editorial Committee and the researchers and specialists who devoted their time and energy to drafting and finalising these articles. We would like to thank each and everyone of them for their contribution.
The 2005 Scientific and Technical Report comprises 6 fascicules and is printed on 100% recyclable and biodegradable, chlorine-free coated paper using vegetable-based ink.
2 Radioactivity and Environment
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 2 Radioecology: working to describe, explain and anticipate
adioecology, or the study of environmental radioactivity and its effects on human health and ecosystems, is one of IRSN’s longstanding areas of excellence, a legacy from the IPSN(1) through its applied research and studies, and from the OPRI(2) through its expertise in environmental metrology and territorial radiological monitoring. This study area has developed over a series of stages in France and abroad as Rsummarised below: The golden age of rapid developments in the civilian nuclear power industry (from 1960 to the middle of the 1980s), during which many radioecology research teams were formed, mainly to study transfer channels to human beings. This period also witnessed numerous radiobiology experiments carried out to study the effects of ionising radiation on non-human living organisms. The post-Chernobyl period (from 1986 to the middle of the 1990s) during which radioecology focused mainly on the development of tools (e.g. computer codes) and laboratory or field research to assess the impacts on health of an accident scenario. The “ecological” period (from the middle of the 1990s) during which the radioecology community became aware of the need to develop methods to assess the ecological risk from the presence of radionuclides in the environment. (1) IPSN: Institut de protection et de This last period coincided with a significant fall in the number of radioecology research teams at sûreté nucléaire – French Institute for Protection and Nuclear Safety. European and world levels.
(2) OPRI: Office de protection contre The IRSN thus remains one of the few entities in the international arena offering key research les rayonnements ionisants potential and expertise in this area, to benefit from knowledge acquired over the years, while – French Office for protection against Ionising Radiation. developing new knowledge in previously unexplored areas. While appearing to be an asset, this can
2 Radioactivity and Environment 2 be a sensitive position in that the IRSN has to to update and develop a structured frame- dialogue and argue its findings in peer-to-peer work and skills to assess the aftermath of a situations. The IRSN is thus heading research major radiological accident and contribute to into a project to develop a radioecology network management of the related consequences; of excellence at the European level. to provide knowledge bases and methods This part of the report will outline the wide for international projects dealing with new range of projects recently carried out by the topics, and specifically regarding environmen- IRSN. This work is part of a strategy to better tal protection from radioactivity. describe, explain and anticipate environmen- tal radiology and how it will develop in space and time, and to understand the mechanims involved. The findings from these projects will allow the IRSN: to optimise its ongoing mission to monitor environmental radiology and the populations exposed to environmental sources; to support governments in setting up envi- ronmental radiology risk management policies, e.g. concerning radon in the home or the qua- Didier CHAMPION, Director lity of drinking water; Environment and Response Division
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 3 Plutonium 2.1 behaviour in marine sediments in the Irish Sea and the Channel
or several decades now, the spent fuel reprocessing plants of COGEMA La Hague (Nord-Cotentin, France) and BNFL(1) in Sellafield F(Lake District, UK) have carried out controlled releases of radionuclides into the marine environment of the Channel and the Irish Sea respectively (table 1). Plutonium is present in alpha (238Pu, 239,240Pu) and beta (241Pu) emitter isotopes with half-lives raging from a few decades (14.4 and 87.7 years for 241Pu and 238Pu, respectively) to several thousand years for 239,240Pu. Plutonium has strong affinity with the sedimentary phases (partition coefficients of 104 to 105). Consequently, a large proportion of the plutonium released by the reprocessing plants binds with sediments in the vicinity of the release point. The plutonium-labelled sedimentary particles are dispersed by the current and swell in the Channel and Irish Sea. The sediments thus contain a stock of plutonium, believed for many years not be reactive and even definitively buried.
Sediments: secondary sources of plutonium
The movement and burial rates of sediment stocks in the Central Channel and Irish Sea are so slow that their associated radionuclides will remain in the close vicinity of the water-sediment interface for a long time yet. These quantities of plutonium bound to the sediments merit closer study given this element’s radiotoxicity for humans and other living organisms. Moreover, the flow of plutonium from the sediments to sea water has already been highlighted in various marine environments. Thus, the quantities of 239,240Pu migrating to sea water in the Irish Sea are estimated at 2,300 GBq per year (Gouzy et al., 2004), i.e. 10 times more than current releases from the Sellafield spent fuel processing plant. The total stock of 239,240Pu temporarily immobilised in the Cumbrian mud patch is area 400,000 GBq. The sediments thus form a deferred and diffuse source of dissolved radionuclides which need to be studied to assess the respective effects of releases from the nuclear facilities and atmospheric fallout (Atlantic inflow water and catchment basin washout).While the return of plutonium initially bound to the marine sediments to water has been proven, the mechanisms involved are not yet (1) BNFL: British Nuclear Fuels – Nuclear fuel reprocessing plant. fully understood. These mechanisms therefore need to be identified, the intensity with which they
4 Radioactivity and Environment Dominique BOUST Cherbourg-Octeville Radioecology Laboratory
Table 1 overlying water through bioturbation 2.1 Controlled plutonium releases by spent fuel reprocessing plants into the Channel (constant mixing of the sediment matrix by (since 1965) and into the Irish Sea (since 1952), in TBq. the animals living in it). These specific 238Pu 239,240Pu 241Pu conditions redistribute the trace elements, and radionuclides in particular, between the COGEMA-La Hague (Nord-Cotentin, France) 2.8 3.4 211 interstitial water and the sediment and within the various neoformed mineral BNFL-Sellafield (Lake District, UK) 51 689 20,588 phases. Understanding the processes leading to plutonium transfer from the sediments into open water implies measuring the operate in European waters determined, and in response to which plutonium levels in interstitial water and in its carrier phases, in natural forcing (molecular diffusion from interstitial water, storms, addition to the numerous parameters which may provide data on tides) or induced forcing (trawling, dredging, marine projects) the diagenetic processes. This was done during and at the end of the processes. DIAPLU (behaviour of plutonium during the diagenesis of marine Work initiated in 2000 at the IRSN’s Cherbourg-Octeville Radioecology sediments) campaign carried out in the Irish Sea in July 2002. This Laboratory (Walter, 2000) has easily fit in the European REMOTRANS field initiative was completed by a experimental study on plutonium (processes regulating remobilisation, bioavailability and translocation in reactivity in Channel sediments labelled in laboratory conditions. marine sediments) programme, which offered the perfect logistics and scientific environment for A. Gouzy to prepare his doctoral thesis (2004). The DIAPLU campaign
Analytical limitations and challenges The marine environment near the Sellafield plant was chosen as workshop site. Indeed, understanding the diagenetic processes As soon as they are deposited, the sediment particles undergo a governing plutonium behaviour implies measurement of plutonium series of physical and biogeochemical changes known as early in the interstitial water in the sediments. This site was chosen as it is diagenesis. The sediment is a live, highly reactive environment: the specifically labelled by releases from the Sellafield plant and well microorganisms, and bacteria in particular, degrade its organic documented. matter, consuming oxygen, then the electron-donor components Carried out in July 2002, the objectives of the DIAPLU campaign (nitrates, manganese and iron oxide, sulphates, etc.).The physical and were the following: firstly, to determine how plutonium is distributed chemical conditions and concentrations of chemical species involved between the solid and liquid phases in the marine (Cumbrian mud in these reactions change quickly and are much different from those patch) and estuarine (Esk estuary) sediments in the vicinity of the encountered in open water (specifically due to the development of Sellafield plant; and secondly to study the impact of the chemical anoxic conditions). New species develop (neoformation of carbonates, characteristics of the interstitial water and of the development of sulphides, phosphates, etc.) which are recycled on site or released into anoxic conditions on plutonium remobilisation towards water.
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 5 2.1
Extraction of a core sample to analyse interstitial water in the Esk esturary (UK). The sinking of a Flucha core sampling boxcorer, with plexiglass windows to facilitate sedimentological description.
The successful outcome of this operation depended on obtaining Wide-scale analyses samples of interstitial water and sediments using stringent sampling protocols. Special attention was given to strictly maintaining anoxia Ahost of parameters were measured in the interstitial water (concen- levels between the sampling and extraction of the interstitial water tration of major and trace elements, sulphides, sulphates and dissolved from the sediment or the extraction of plutonium in the carrier organic carbon) and sediments (granulometry, concentration of major phases. Estuarine sediments were collected in PVC tubes (see photo and trace elements, organic carbon, carbonates, etc.). Most of these above). The marine sediments were obtained using a Flucha box parameters were measured at the LRC in Cherbourg-Octeville, at Lille cores (see photo above) on the Côtes de la Manche research vessel University’s Analytical and Marine Chemistry Laboratory or at Caen (INSU/CNRS). The sediments were characterised and pH-Eh levels University’s M2C Laboratory. Special attention was given to determining measured immediately after sampling. Sub-core samples were then reactive sulphides inasmuch as some of the preparatory work suggested taken for the subsequent sedimentological and geochemical that they played a role in binding plutonium (Walter, 2000), and to analyses. This was done in a laboratory specially equipped with IRSN determining the plutonium carrier phases. The distribution of plutonium equipment at the CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and within the different sedimentary phases was obtained by sequential Aquaculture Science) in Whitehaven. Each core sample was then cut extraction. The protocol used was approved as part of work carried into 2 cm-thick slices in inert conditions and photographed (photo out in collaboration with the Department of Experimental Physics at page 7). Each slice was put into a pneumatic press to extract the University College Dublin (Lucey et al., 2004). Five fractions were interstitial water. The water samples obtained were fractionned and differentiated: an exchangeable and easily oxidisable fraction (inclu- packed for subsequent analysis. Likewise, the pressed sediments were ding the most reactive sulphides); an acid-soluble fraction (including frozen in nitrogen flushed plastic bags. the carbonates); a reducible fraction (including manganese and iron
6 Radioactivity and Environment 20 cm diameter cross-section of a core sample taken from the Esk estuary (16 cm depth) showing open burrows and anoxic areas. 2.1 oxides); an oxidisable fraction (including low-level reactive sulphides, pyrite and organic matter) and a residual fraction (non-reactive mineral matrix).The plutonium isotopes (239Pu, 240Pu, 241Pu and 242Pu) were analysed by ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass specto- metry) and/or by alpha spectrometry in each fraction. As plutonium concentration in the interstitial water was very low, as were the volumes available (about 100 ml), this was measured using an Accelerator Mass Spectrometer (AMS) from the Nuclear Physics Department at the Austrialian National University (Canberra, Australia). These analyses provide an unprecedented database dedicated to plutonium behaviour during the diagenesis of marine sediments in the Eastern Irish Sea.
239,240 Pu (%) Plutonium distribution between 60 the different chemical families bound to the sediment: the solid partition
50 Plutonium isotope concentrations and their solid partition are shown in tables 2 and 3 (page 11). An analogue partition was found in the 40 Esk estuary where 239,240Pu content rose from 400 Bq.kg-1 on the surface to 7,000 Bq.kg-1 25 cm depth. The plutonium binds mainly 30 with the exchangeable and easily oxidisable fraction (plutonium loosely bound to the sediments and bound to reactive sulphides) and with 20 the acid-soluble fraction (particularly carbonates). Therefore about 75% of the plutonium bound to the sediments
10 can be mobilised in early diagenesis conditions. A correlation was also highlighted between the percentage of plutonium contained in the most mobile fraction (exchangeable and sulphides) and the 0 0 100 200 300 concentration of reactive sulphides in a core sample taken from the Reactive sulphides (mg/kg) Esk estuary (figure 1). These observations are in complete contrast to Figure 1: Correlation between the percentage of plutonium in the most mobile previously published data (McDonald, 2001) which reported pluto- fraction (exchangeable and sulphides) and reactive sulphide concentration in a core sample taken from the Esk estuary. nium associations with significantly less reactive sediment phases.
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 7 2.1
These erroneous results can be accounted for by to methodological artefacts: drying of sediments prior to processing, anoxia not maintained, and readsorption of plutonium during sequential extraction. Even if a 10% fraction of plutonium is bound to reactive sulphides, very high concentrations can be achieved in these mineral species (in the region of 20,000 to 500,000 Bq of 239Pu per kg of sulphides), which could affect the organisms living in the sediments. These sulphides are highly sensitive to oxidation; they are thus actively recycled near the water-sediment interface and in the vicinity of the numerous open burrows maintaining highly active bioirrigation.
Plutonium in interstitial water
In all the core Samples studied, the concentrations of plutonium 239 or 240 range from 0.1 to 1.5 mBq.L-1 in the interstitial water, which complies with the very few values published to date (Nelson and Lovett, 1981; Malcolm et al., 1990) in this area. They generally fall at deeper levels,
239 Pu (mBq.L-1) 239 Pu (mBq.L-1) 012012 0 0
5 5
10 10
15 15
20 20
25 25
30 30
35 35 Depth (cm) Depth (cm)
Figure 2: Vertical distribution of dissolved plutonium in interstitial water from two core samples taken from the Sellafield coast (UK).
thus preventing dissolved plutonium from being released into the overlying water by diffusion (figure 2). These profiles are considered to be the result of the plutonium being actively trapped by reactive sulphides. In the first profile, a significant rise in dissolved plutonium content is observed 15 cm down (≈ 0.9 mBq.L-1). This rise coincides with a significant fall in reactive sulphides related to the presence of an open burrow at this level. This observation is confirmation of the fact that the reactive sulphides act as a temporary sink for the plutonium.
Developing a conceptual scheme for plutonium behaviour in anoxic marine sediments
The multi-parameter study on sedimentary core samples taken in the eastern Irish Sea allowed plutonium carrier phases to be identified in anoxic and bioturbed sediments, and their reactivity
8 Radioactivity and Environment disturbing the sediments (natural or anthropic) may cause plutonium to be released from the sediments to the water column. Bioturbation Atmosphere Atmospheric plays a key role here through two comple- fallout mentary processes: by mixing the sedimentary particles, it promotes the oxidisation of sulphides and thus the release of dissolved plutonium;
Pud by promoting the irrigation of sediments Industrial releases Pud(IV) (circulation of aerated water in the open burrows), it causes the sulphides to oxidise, then dissolved Open water plutonium to be released and transferred to open water.This is the only natural phenomenon Pupp Pud(V) > Pud(IV) which may indicate benthic flows observed in Particles in the study area, in addition to trawling activities. sedimentation Pud 2.1 Bioirrigation Diffusion Additional experiments
The Channel presents varied sedimentary facies Pu Pu Develop- pp d ment Pud(V) < Pud(IV) with a much lower plutonium content than in of anoxia Puppn the Irish Sea (fewer releases and generally coarser sediment). It was thus impossible to use Pu ppn Particle the same approach or to transpose results from movement (by bioturbation) the Irish Sea in their original form. Sediments Puppn sampled during the DIAMAN (plutonium Pu ppn diagenesis in the Channel, April 2003) campaign Pud were thus contaminated by plutonium in Particle laboratory conditions (photo below). A month Fine sediments movement (par bioturbation) after the incubation period, the distribution of plutonium between the particle phases and the Puppn and/or Pu in Pud (IV) particles dissolved phase was determined, along with the quantity of plutonium bound to the different reactive phases. Figure 3: Conceptual scheme for plutonium behaviour in anoxic marine sediments, Pud (dissolved Pu), Pupp (Pu bound to a particulate phase), Puppn (Pu bound to neoformed particulate phases), Gouzy, 2004.
and ability to recycle plutonium initially bound to the sediment particles to be evaluated.A conceptual scheme for plutonium behaviour in the sedimentary column can be developed from this (figure 3). Plutonium is introduced into the seawater by industrial releases, mainly from the Sellafield spent fuel processing plant. It is in valence state IV and gradually oxidises mainly into Pu (V) (Garcia et al., 1996). A large portion of the plutonium (about 2/3 of the quantity released) then binds with the suspended matter and sediments with it. Some of the plutonium is dissolved and leaves the system in the water masses. In the sediments, the plutonium is redistributed between the various carrier phases, either in the form of surface complexes, or by copre- Plutonium labelling of a sedimentary core sample in a controlled area laboratory, cipitation within the neoformed mineral species. All phenomena for incubation purposes.
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 9 2.1
In the coarser sediments, the plutonium is not bound to the reactive sulphides, the content of which is low. In this case, the plutonium tends to bind to the carbonated phase in the form of surface complexes. In fine anoxic sediments, plutonium is immobilised both on the carbonates (in the form of surface complexes) and in the reactive sulphides (by coprecipitation).
Outlook
By combining the field observations and in vitro experiments, a set of processes can be envisaged to explain plutonium remobilisation from deposited sediments. It also offers a way of illustrating and quantifying some of these processes. Concepts relating to plutonium reactivity during early diagenesis of marine sediments are thus being reviewed. Its association with the different highly reactive sedimentary phases indicates a much more mobile element than previously thought, particularly in anoxic and bioturbed sediments. In the short term, this implies the introduction of new constraints in the numerical models used to describe the behaviour of this element in the marine environment: this is the subject of a thesis currently under way in the Department of Experimental Physics at University College Dublin.
Successful national and international partnerships This work would not have been possible without logistics and technical resources and without extensive and specific knowledge.These skills were mobilised through scientific partnerships with French and foreign teams for the field operations (photo above) and analyses. Department of Experimental Physics at University College Dublin (DEP/UCD), Dublin, Ireland. Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Lowestoft, UK. Continental and Coastal Morphodynamics Laboratory or M2C, Caen and Rouen Universities. Geology and Ocean Science Department (DGO), Bordeaux 1 University. Analytical and Marine Chemistry Laboratory (LCAM/USTL), Lille 1 University. Marine station offshore and coastal ecoystems (ELICO/USTL), Wimereux. National Institute of Sea Science and Techniques (Intechmer/CNAM), Cherbourg. Department of Nuclear Physics, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. Environmental Radioactivity Measurement Laboratory/IRSN, Orsay - Radioecology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory / IRSN, Cadarache – Cherbourg-Octeville Radioecology Laboratory / IRSN, Cherbourg-Octeville.
10 Radioactivity and Environment Table 2
Concentrations of plutonium isotopes in a core sample taken from the coast of the Sellafield plant, in Bq.kg-1 (± 2σ)
Depth (cm) 239Pu 240Pu 241Pu 242Pu
1 88 ± 8 65 ± 6 1383 ± 120 0.040 ± 0.004
3 86 ± 7 64 ± 5 1350 ± 114 0.040 ± 0.003
5 109 ± 21 79 ± 15 1709 ± 331 0.055 ± 0.011
9 111 ± 11 82 ± 8 1706 ± 167 0.052 ± 0.005
15 150 ± 13 112 ± 10 2380 ± 180 0.071 ± 0.006
25 274 ± 16 198 ± 11 3916 ± 226 0.125 ± 0.007 2.1 Table 3
Plutonium solid partition in the same core sample (mean in % over the 6 levels, ± 1σ)
Fraction 239Pu 240Pu 241Pu 242Pu
Exchangeable 37 ± 5 36 ± 5 36 ± 6 32 ± 7
Acid-soluble 40 ± 4 40 ± 4 40 ± 4 38 ± 5
Reducible 5 ± 2 5 ± 2 5 ± 2 6 ± 3
Oxidisable 8 ± 2 9 ± 3 10 ± 3 12 ± 3
Residual 10 ± 4 10 ± 4 10 ± 4 13 ± 7
References K. Garcia, D. Boust, V. Moulin, E. Douville, B. Fourest and R. Guillaumont, 1996. Multiparametric investigation of the reactions of plutonium under estuarine conditions. Radiochimica Acta 74: 165-170. A. Gouzy, 2004. Étude du comportement du plutonium au cours de la diagenèse précoce des sédiments marins : applications à deux environnements marins marqués par les rejets issus d’usines de retraitement de combustibles usés. University thesis Caen – ISRN/IRSN 2005-49 FR, 302 pp. J. A. Lucey, A. Gouzy, D. Boust, L. León Vintró, L. Bowden, P.P. Finegan, P.J. Kershaw, P.I. Mitchell, 2004. Geochemical fractionation of plutonium in anoxic Irish Sea sediments using an optimised sequential extraction protocol. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 60, 379-385. P. McDonald, J. Vives i Batlle, A. Bousher, A. Whittall and N. Chambers, 2001. The availability of plutonium and americium in Irish Sea sediments for re-dissolution. The Science of the Total Environment, 267, 109-123. S.J. Malcolm, P.J. Kershaw, N.J. Cromar, L. Botham, 1990. Iron and manganese geochemistry and the distribution of 239,240Pu and 241Am in the sediments of the north east Irish Sea. The Science of the Total Environment, 95, 69-87. D. M. Nelson and M.B. Lovett, 1981. Measurements of the oxidation state and concentration of plutonium in interstitial waters of the Irish Sea. Impact of radionuclide releases into the marine environment. Proceedings Symposium, Vienna, 1980. Vienna, International Atomic Energy Agency: 105-118. F. Walter, 2000. Contribution à l’étude du comportement des radionucléides au cours de la diagenèse des sédiments marins. Rapport IPSN/LERFA, 49 pp.
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 11 Scientific 2.2 contributions from the CAROL project Camargue-Rhône-Languedoc
o better meet the needs of surveys and community demands in terms of the environment and radiological protection, studies and Tapplied research projects need to be performed to acquire specific knowledge. The CAROL (Camargue-Rhône-Languedoc) project was thus initiated at the Laboratory for Continental and Marine Radioecological Studies (LERCM) in 1998. The purpose of this study was to analyse artificial radionuclide distribution in the Lower Rhône Valley, then identify and quantify the main flows or transfers resulting in the distribution observed at present. Like the rest of Metropolitan France, the Lower Rhône Valley was affected by fallout from nuclear weapons tests between 1945 and 1980, plus fallout from the Chernobyl accident in May 1986. This area is also downstream of all the Rhône’s nuclear facilities, including uranium enrichment, fuel manufacturing and reprocessing plants and five nuclear power plants, some of which have existed for between three and four decades. Through the number and diversity of these facilities, the Rhône is the key channel for radionuclide contribution from the nuclear industry to the Gulf of Lions. This region (figure 1) was therefore chosen as a prime example Altitude in metres to carry out a comprehensive study 1 - 100 at catchment basin level on the becoming 100 - 200 200 - 500 of the radionuclides channelled into the 500 - 1,000 1,000 - 1,500 environment on a chronic or occasional 1,500 - 2,000 Marcoule facility basis in the three environments: land, river and marine environments. Avignon Nîmes
Arles Approach
The applied research projects conducted as part of the CAROL project started with an observation established N from already existing data in other areas or following
25 km issues raised by society. Mediterranean Sea From an initial analysis of existing data, a conceptual model was used to define a sampling strategy to acquire Figure 1: CAROL project study area in the Lower Rhône Valley. new data able to respond to the issues raised. In the case
12 Radioactivity and Environment Philippe RENAUD, Sabine CHARMASSION, Céline DUFFA, Laurent POURCELOT, Jacques MARQUET, Frédérique EYROLLE, Mireille ARNAUD, Gilles SALAUN, Yves DIMEGLIO Laboratory for Continental and Marine Radioecological Studies Jean-Michel METIVIER Environmental Modelling Laboratory Evelyne BARKER Sample Processing and Environmental Metrology Department Rodolfo GURRIARAN Environmental Radioactivity Measurement Laboratory Marcel MORELLO Radioecology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory
of vast geographical areas, data is often acquired on a compartment processes, their speciation in the river, the hydraulic conditions of of the environment known as a “workshop” (area or water), or over a high water levels, and irrigation practices. defined period. Throughout the CAROL project, several workshops of various sizes were opened, such as the Rhône in Arles during high Actinide distribution 2.2 water levels, flooded areas in Camargue, the Vaison-la-Romaine Since the fallout from nuclear weapons tests between 1945 and region, the area affected by atmospheric releases from Marcoule, the 1980 and from the explosion of the US SNAP 9A satellite, with a Lombarde pass workshop (2,000 m2) and Corsica. The conditions for payload of 238Pu on board, on re-entering the atmosphere in 1964, the geographic or time-based extrapolation of this study were then 238Pu, 239,240Pu and 241Am alpha-emitting radionuclides have been determined by crossing measurement activities with other physical omnipresent as traces in the environment. and chemical parameters from the environment or with impacting Existing measurements have allowed us to establish their mean acti- events. vity in the cultivated soils of the Lower Rhône Valley not affected by The activity reports on the different isotopes were frequently used to releases from the Marcoule facility: 1.4 ± 0.1 Bq.m-2 of 238Pu, determine the origin, contributions or evolution of the radionuclides 47 ± 3 Bq.m-2 of 239,240Pu and 19 ± 1 Bq.m-2 of 241Am. The measured, following in the footsteps of methods developed in 238Pu/239,240Pu activity ratio value of 0.03 confirms that this geochemistry. contamination is linked to fallout from the nuclear tests and the To interpret measurement results, test empirical models derived from satellite explosion. Existing measurements have also led to new them or quantify certain flows, calculations were carried out based on generic radioecological models generally used at the IRSN, such as
FOCON, ASTRAL or COTRAM. Surface activity isovalues St.-Étienne These studies were finalised by the production of reports on radionuclide Piolenc 239,240 -2 des Sorts Pu (Bq.m ) stock and flows at catchment basin level, showing compartmental 6 - 90 maps or diagrams, providing explanations and sometimes quantification 90 - 135 Chusclan S5 135 - 180 of the underlying mechanisms or processes, and defining reference 180 - 225 S6 225 - 270 S4 values for the activities present in the environment or customary S1 MARCOULE radioecological parameter values. Orsan S7 S2 S13 S9 S15 S11 Caderousse Orange S14 S3 S8 Main results Laudun S10
S12 At the end of the six-year project (1998-2003), the origins of the radionuclides measured in each environment were identified and their contributions estimated. The heterogenous nature of their spatial St.-Genies N de Comolas distribution was identified and explained. The main stocks and flows were quantified, and particularly the flows at the interface of the 2 km Roquemaure different environments.This provides data on how atmospheric testing contributed to soil activity over 40 years of irrigation or during Figure 2: Distribution of 239,240Pu in soils around the Marcoule site. floods, by considering depositing in the catchment basin, soil washout
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 13 2.2
sample campaigns being defined in the immediate vicinity of the Marcoule facility, where further activity, assessed at 0.1 GBq of 238Pu, 2.1 GBq of 239,240Pu and 0.6 GBq of 241Am, compounded this fallout over an area of 25 km2 (figure 2, page 13). The 238Pu/239,240Pu activity ratio on these additional contributions is 0.05, a value typical of the military quality plutonium produced at Marcoule at the beginning of the 1960s. For the period 1945-1998, it is estimated that 3 ± 1 GBq of 238Pu, 92 ± 28 GBq of 239,240Pu and 12 ± 4 GBq of 241Am were channelled into the Rhône due to catchment basin erosion. Based on data in documents released by COGEMA, liquid releases from the Marcoule facility are estimated at 92 ± 5 GBq of 238Pu, 441 ± 72 GBq of 239,240Pu and 386 ± 64 GBq of 241Am. The Rhône is clearly the main transfer channel for Pu and Am in the region under study. The measurements taken around Arles provided clear indications of the contributions from these different sources
Global atmospheric fallout 770 GBq
Marcoule facility 25 GBq
Catchment basin 920 GBq 2.8 GBq Lower Rhône Valley 2 2 98,800 km Direct releases 10,000 km 805 GBq
107 GBq Rhône 2 GBq BRL canal Marcoule surrounding 2 Erosion 290 GBq 1.4 GBq 0.6 GBq area 25 km Irrigated areas
Gulf of Lions 5.5 GBq Rice fields 730 GBq Submerged delta 0.2 GBq Flooded areas 500 km2 614 GBq Harvests 0.01 GBq
Figure 3: Inventory of stocks and flows of plutonium 238, 239, 240 and americium 241 integrated for the period 1945-1998. BRL canal: Bas-Rhône-Languedoc canal.
depending on the river’s hydraulic regime. For annual mean flow rates of less than 1,700 m3.s-1, the key source stems from liquid releases from the Marcoule facility. In high water level periods, the major sources are drainage of the catchment basin and the resuspension of the river’s sedimentary stock. The sedimentary source channels up to 30% of the radioactivity transported in a high water level period for plutonium isotopes. By extrapolating these conclusions, an overall report estimates that in 1998, nearly 290 GBq of 238Pu, 2390Pu and 241Am were trapped in sediments in the Lower Rhône. However, the measurements do not suggest any soil enrichment with Pu and Am linked to irrigation by Rhône water. For the 1961-1998 period, the annual deviation of 105 million cubic meters of water from the Rhône to the Bas-Rhône-Languedoc (BRL) canal coincides with total flows of 238Pu, 239,240Pu and 241Am of 2 GBq. Nearly 70% of this activity remains trapped in the routing channel due to settling of some of the suspended particles to which the radionuclides are bound. In Camargue, given water consumption for the rice farming of about 28,000 m3 per hectare and changes to the rice field surfaces, 238Pu, 239,240Pu and 241Am contributions are evaluated at 5.5 GBq
14 Radioactivity and Environment for the period 1960-1998. Finally, in a specific area north-west of the Camargue, which was flooded by the Rhône in 1993 and 1994, soil samples show activity levels significantly higher than the values that can be attributed to global fallout alone. These soils indicate deposits of 400,000 tons of very unevenly dispersed Rhône sediments which have contributed about 15 MBq of 238Pu, 90 MBq of 239,240Pu and 83 MBq of 241Am. At the mouth of the Rhône, the confrontation between freshwater and the marine water of the Gulf of Lions generates complex physical and chemical processes which result in a massive sedimentation of the particles channelled by the river (prodelta formation) and the associated radionuclides. The outcome is a high accumulation of radionuclides in the sediments in the Gulf of Lions prodelta and continental shelf. The final report from the CAROL project (figure 3) highlighted the need to inventory the actinides accumulated in this area.
2.2
Figure 4: Inventory of the spatial distribution and stocks of 137Cs in the Lower Rhône Valley in 2000.
Distribution of 137Cs 137Cs is the only artificial gamma-emitting radionuclide that can still be measured in the environmental samples not subject to releases from nuclear facilities in France. Activity measured in soils in the Lower Rhône Valley in 1999 and 2000 of between 1,500 and 40,000 Bq.m-2 is highly uneven. Indeed, the deposits from the Chernobyl accident did not spread in a uniform way. Observations carried out as part of the CAROL project established an empirical relationship between these deposits and precipitation occurring between the 1st and 5th May 1986, the period during which the contaminated air masses passed over the region. This empirical relationship was used to reproduce the activity map for 137Cs activity in the Lower Rhône Valley. It is estimated that about a tenth of the activity stored in the CAROL area is concentrated on less than 2% of the surface, in the Vaison-la-Romaine region (figure 4), where the Météo-France weather stations registered the highest rainfall (over 40 mm) on 3rd and 4th May 1986. The singular nature of these results led to interest in two other particularly relevant regions due to their geographical location and the intensity of precipitation recorded there between 1st and 5th May 1986: Corsica and the Mercantour massif.
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 15 2.2
In the Mercantour massif, radioactivity is extremely unevenly distributed with the presence of concentration points of a few square meters where the surface activity of 137Cs in the soil exceeds 100,000 Bq.m-2. Snowfall on the Mercantour massif coinciding with the passage of the contaminated air masses from the Chernobyl accident, snowdrift formation and runoff after the snow melted are at the origin of the formation of the cesium concentration points. However, they represent less than 1% of all 137Cs stock for the mapped catchment basin (27 km2). In the Lower Rhône Valley, as for the actinides, it is the Rhône which is the main transfer channel for 137Cs. From January 1998 to March 1999, gamma-emitting radionuclide activity in the particle phase in Arles increased with the rise in the river’s flow rate, in the same way as with the plutonium isotopes. These results underline the role of sediment remobilisation in the river as a secondary radionuclide source. The Rhône’s sedimentary dynamics thus play a key role in 137Cs export processes. In the marine environment, an initial evaluation of the quantities of 137Cs deposited at the mouth of the Grand-Rhône was carried out on the basis of measurements taken in 1990 and 1991. The quantity of 137Cs present over an area of 480 km2 stood at 19.5 TBq, with about 45% of this inventory located in the actual prodelta area (30 km2). The considerable fall in releases from Marcoule since 1991 led to this stock being re-estimated on the basis of measurements taken in 2001. It was assessed at 13.2 TBq (figure 5).
kBq.m-2
400 260 140 20 320 200 80 360
320
E ° 0 .0 280 E 5 ° 5 .9 E 4 ° 0 .9 240 E 4 ° N 5 ° .8 5 4 .4 E 3 ° 200 4 N 0 ° .8 0 E 4 .4 ° 3 5 4 N 7 ° . 5 E 4 160 3 ° . 0 3 7 4 N . ° E 4 0 ° .3 5 3 .6 4 120 N E 4 ° ° 5 0 .2 6 3 . 4 N E 4 ° ° 0 5 80 .2 .5 300 3 4 4 260 kBq.m-2 220 40 180 400 160 120 0
E 80 ° 200 5 .9 E 4 ° 0 .9 E 4 0 ° 5 .8 E 4 N ° ° 0 0 .8 .3 E 4 3 ° 4 N ° 5 5 .7 .2 E 4 3 ° 4 N 0 ° .7 0 4 2 E . ° 3 5 4 .6 4
Figure 5: Mapping of the distribution of the stock of 137Cs in the sediments at the Grand-Rhône river mouth.
16 Radioactivity and Environment Conclusion and evaluation of results
The results obtained throughout the CAROL project have allowed This work also provides answers to concerns raised by associations, progress to be made in the following fields in particular: socioprofessional categories or politicians preoccupied by announ- deposits of 137Cs related to the Chernobyl accident and how cements or publications from ecology associations. The study of they are distributed across the territory; the effects of the fallout from the Chernobyl accident on Côtes-du- Pu and Am activity levels in Metropolitan France; Rhône wine (Renaud et al., 2003) illustrates this concern of provi- the use of isotopic activity ratios as a resource for interpreting ding information and communicating the results of work carried results. out both to the scientific community and the public at large. These data also contribute to improving know-how with respect Finally, it must be noted that the Local Information Commission to environmental surveys. The studies carried out as part of the (CLI) in the Gard area and the French Nuclear Installations Safety project have made it possible to respond to issues raised by civil Directorate (ASN) raised issues concerning the radiological conse- society or by the government. quences of exceptional flooding in Camargue with the IRSN in For example, by placing the map of 137Cs deposits following the December 2003.The skills acquired through the CAROL project and Chernobyl accident, drawn up on the basis of studies performed the discussions on continuing the work on high water levels and 2.2 in the Lower Rhône Valley, over the map of fallout from atmos- other extreme events were used to respond to this survey request. pheric nuclear weapons tests, we can now answer sensitive 18 publications and 23 congress presentations were delivered as questions regarding 137Cs levels in some regions in France part of the CAROL project in addition to several reports being (Pourcelot et al., 2001; Pourcelot and Métivier, 2001; Pourcelot published. A thesis on actinides was entirely dedicated to the pro- and Renaud, 2002). ject and two theses on the marine environment contributed to it.
References S. Charmasson, 1998. Cycle du combustible nucléaire et milieu marin - Devenir des effluents rhodaniens en Méditerranée et des déchets immergés en Atlantique nord-est. Doctoral Thesis, Aix-Marseille 2 University, 359 p. Rapport CEA-R-5826. B. Lansard, 2005. Distribution et remobilisation du plutonium dans les sédiments du prodelta du Rhône (Méditerranée nord-occidentale). Thesis, Aix-Marseille 2 University. Rapport SESURE 2005-12, 180 p. C. Duffa, 2001. Répartition du plutonium et de l’américium dans l’environnement terrestre de la basse vallée du Rhône. Thesis, Aix-Marseille 3 University. Rapport CEA-R-5977, 171 p. S. Charmasson, O. Radakovitch, M. Arnaud, P. Bouisset, A.S. Pruchon, 1998. Long-core profiles of 137Cs, 134Cs, 60Co and 210Pb in sediment near the Rhône mouth Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Estuaries, 21, 3, 367-378. S. Charmasson, 2003. 137Cs inventory in sediment near the Rhône mouth: role played by different sources. Oceanologica Acta, 26, 435-441. C. Duffa, Ph. Renaud, D. Calmet, 2001. 238Pu and 239,240Pu activities in lower Rhône valley cultivated soils. Comptes rendus de l’Académie des sciences (Science Academy Reports) - Earth and Planetary Sciences, 332, 275-281. C. Duffa, Ph. Renaud, F. Goutelard, 2002. Activities and transfers in rice samples from Camargue, France. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 252 (2), 247-248. C. Duffa, P. Renaud, 2005. 238Pu and 239,240Pu inventory and distribution through the lower Rhone valley terrestrial environment (Southern France). Science of the Total Environment, article in press. F. Eyrolle, M. Arnaud, C. Duffa, Ph. Renaud, 2002. Plutonium fluxes from the Rhône River to the Mediterranean Sea. Radioprotection-Colloques, 37, C1, 87-92. F. Eyrolle, S. Charmasson, D. Louvat, 2004. Plutonium isotopes in the lower reaches of the river Rhône over the period 1945-2000. Fluxes toward the Mediterranean Sea and sedimentary inventories. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Special Issue, 74, 127-138. L. Pourcelot, D. Louvat, F. Gauthier-Lafaye, P. Stille, 2003. Formation of radioactivity enriched soils in mountain areas. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 68, p. 215-233. L. Pourcelot, Ph. Renaud, D. Louvat, R. Gurriaran, P. Richon, 2003. Influence des points de concentration en césium 137 sur la contamination d’une chaîne alimentaire de type alpin et doses associées. Environnement, risques et santé, 2, p. 112-120. Ph. Renaud, L. Pourcelot, J.M. Métivier, M. Morello, 2003. 137Cs deposits and behaviour over eastern France after the Chernobyl accident. The Science of the Total Environment, 309, 257-264.
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 17 Radon in buildings: 2.3 phenomenological study
adon is a natural radioactive gas omnipresent on the Earth’s surface. Isotope 222, a descendent of radium 226, is most present in the R atmosphere as its radioactive half-life is long enough to allow it to migrate to soils from the rock in which it originated and into the open air. Different physical processes allow it to migrate from the soil into the atmosphere and it can accumulate in the more confined air in buildings in which people spend much of their time. Radon exists in the air in buildings at varying concentrations depending on several factors: the type of construction, soil radium content and texture under the building, the pressure difference value between inside air and outside air, and the air renewal rate in the building. These numerous parameters led the Laboratory for the Study of Radon and Risk Analysis to set up an experimental programme aimed at understanding the mechanisms governing radon concentration levels in buildings. Instrumentation in a private house and its environment was set up over a period of three years.
Description of the house and instrumentation
The experimental site is in Brittany (Kersaint-Plabennec, Finistère) in the Saint-Renan granitoid massif, which is a peraluminous granite-leucogranite type uraniferous geological formation. The northwest/southeast facing house has three floors and a semi-underground basement. Separated from the basement by a closed staircase, the ground floor communicates with the next floor by an open, wooden staircase. The soil-building interface is formed by a concrete slab placed partly on the rock and semi-underground concrete and granite walls. A fuel boiler in the basement provides heating, with a closed fireplace in the sitting room. The house was not occupied throughout the measurement period to avoid disturbances from the occupiers’ lifestyle.
Description of the instrumentation
The site was equipped with a large amount of equipment. It comprised ten or so devices to continuously measure radon activity concentration in the inside and outside atmosphere: 13 probes for measuring radon in the soil, two flow robots (automated systems for measuring exhalation flows at soil surface), two systems for automatically measuring radon flow at the soil/building interface, temperature, humidity and pressure sensors and a weather mast. The reliability and robust nature of the laboratory instruments were tested over several years and several innovating
18 Radioactivity and Environment Roselyne AMÉON, Olivier DIEZ, Mathieu DUPUIS, Laurent MARIE Laboratory for the Study of Radon and Risk Analysis
Characterisation of radon sources
The potential sources of radon presence in the atmosphere of the house are as follows in Switch t° decreasing order of importance: the fine loamy 2.3 ∆P soil on which the building is constructed, the Modem underlying rock and the construction materials. αG %Rh ∆L Due to the dominant masses of oceanic air t° with a low radon content, the concentration of this gas in the outside atmosphere is less than αG t° 30 Bq.m-3 and can therefore be rejected as a %Rh Pa ∆P potential source.
αG %Rh Radium content in the soil and in the rock is ∆L 54 and 190 Bq.kg-1 respectively. The parameter Aut. robot ∆L for quantifying radon release at the surface of the αG soil is exhalation, resulting from two phenomena: t° αG Continuous radon emanation: radon release from the pores of measurement ∆ P the environment mainly through direct recoil; ° Temperature t probe %Rh Humidity probe αG %Rh migration: diffusive or advective/convective ∆P Differential pressure ∆L sensor Barasol transport. αG αG ∆L Acquisition centre The radon exhalation flow was measured at two Pa Barometric pressure sensor points on the site, near the house (4 m) and far
Figure 1: Diagram of instrument installation on the Kersaint experimental site. from the building (15 m), where the soil was not manipulated during construction (figures 2, page 20). measurement techniques were developed, including the flow measu- Fine soils, like those in Kersaint, are highly sensitive to humidity thus rements on walls and the measurement of the exhalation potential promoting emanation (Pellegrini, 1997) but slowing down radon of materials. The instruments used (figure 1) allowed permanent transport, which is mainly diffusive as these soils are not very permeable monitoring of the parameters enabling characterisation of: (Ferry, 2000). These characteristics were observed on the site with the radon sources: exhalation flow at soil surface, radon activity exhalation flow measured far away from the building. Precipitation concentration in soil air and outside air, exhalation potential of generated strong radon concentrations in the soil (1 m down) but the building materials; highest flows (50 mBq.m-2.s-1) were observed during dry periods. radon penetration in the building: exhalation flows at the soil/building On the other hand, the flow measured near the building indicated a interface (slab and walls), differential pressure in the basement, high level of sensitivity to wind and precipitation. The largest flows thermal gradient with the outside; (600 mBq.m-2.s-1) were observed during rainy, low pressure periods. radon accumulation in the inside atmosphere: meteorological This behaviour, different from the flow measured near the house, can parameters, radon activity concentration, differential pressure and be explained by a change in the soil’s properties (higher permeability thermal gradient on the three floors of the house. and dominant advective transport) due to banking during construction.
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 19 2.3
Rn flow far from the house (mBq.m-2.s-1) Rn flow near to the house (mBq.m-2.s-1) 35 700
30 600
25 500
20 400
15 300
10 200
5 100
0 0 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 01 03 05 07 09 11 JANUARY 2004 FEBRUARY 2004
Precipitation (mm.h-1) Wind speed (km.h-1) 6 60 W SW 5 SS 50 SW SW SW SW SE 4 S 40 W SW SSW N 3 30 NE NW N NW
2 20
1 10
0 0 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 01 03 05 07 09 11 JANUARY 2004 FEBRUARY 2004
Figure 2: Compared changes over time in the radon exhalation flow and different meteorological parameters (January/February 2004).
T°inside - T°outside (°C) Cellar Radon activity concentration (Bq.m-3) 20 18,000 16,000
15 14,000 Heating 12,000 10 10,000
8,000 5 6,000
0 4,000 2,000 -5 0 01 03 05 07 09 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 FEBRUARY 2004
Radon flow: slab (mBq.m-2.s-1) Radon flow: outside (mBq.m-2.s-1) 160 500
140 Heating put on 450 400 120 350 100 300 80 250
60 200 150 40 100 20 50 0 0 01 03 05 07 09 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 01 FEBRUARY 2004 M.
Figure 3: Compared changes over time of radon concentration in the basement air, exhalation flows and the thermal gradient.
20 Radioactivity and Environment Radon flow: inside (mBq.m-2.s-1)Wind force (km.h-1) 120 60
SW 100 50 SW S 80 S 40 NW SWS SW W S 60 NW SW 30 S S
40 20
20 10
0 0 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 OCTOBER 2002 NOVEMBER 2002
Figure 4: Compared changes in the wind speed and radon flow measured at basement slab level (October/November 2002).
Radon flow: wall (mBq.m-2.s-1) Radon flow: slab (mBq.m-2.s-1) 20 45 2.3 18 40 16 35 14 30 12 25 10 20 8 15 6 4 10 2 5 0 0 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 01 03 05 07 09 11 13 15 17 19 FEBRUARY 2004 MARCH 2004
Figure 5: Exhalation flow at the soil/building interface (basement slab and walls) over one month.
Radon penetration in the building foundation walls (Améonet al., 2004). Due to the nearness of the coast, low-pressure windy spells are frequent. The low pressure in the building Radon penetrates the house via the soil/building interface by mole- caused by the wind also generates exhalation flow peaks at the cular diffusion, but mainly due to low pressure in the house caused soil/building interface (figure 4). by the chimney effect and the wind effect. This penetration is Radon enters the building not only through cracks in the slab, but characterised in experiments by measuring the exhalation flow at also through the porous or cracked semi-underground walls. This slab and semi-underground wall level. penetration is uneven: it is four times higher on average at slab level The difference in temperature between the inside and outside, called in the cellar than in the boiler room. The basement walls are responsible the thermal gradient, generates a pressure gradient which lowers for about 25% of the overall flow (figure 5). pressure in the building, known as the “chimney effect”. This is a key Furthermore, flows vary significantly over time with maximum values phenomenon in winter when buildings are heated. In Kersaint, the rise of 140 mBq.m-2.s-1 (figures 3). The monthly averages are between in the thermal gradient from 0 to 15°C when the heating was put on 15 and 42 mBq.m-2.s-1 with an annual average of 27 mBq.m-2.s-1. generated a significant rise in radon concentration in the house through the intake of gas present in the underlying soil (figures 3). This intake is illustrated by the anti-correlation observed between Radon accumulation in the atmosphere the outside exhalation flow and that measured at slab level. The of the house result is that radon transport in soil in the presence of a building is both vertical and horizontal. This disturbance caused by the building This depends on exchanges with the outside (air renewal), which in on the surrounding soil was highlighted in the mapping of radon turn are related to wall permeability, wind and thermal gradient. concentrations measured in the soil (to 1 m down) around the building. Ventilation in a house is the result of voluntary airing and parasite air Radon activity concentration in the soil air falls on approaching the infiltrations at the floor/facade joints, at woodwork joints with walls
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 21 2.3
Wind speed (km.h-1) Ground floor Inside radon activity concentration (Bq.m-3) 60 1,600 S 1,400 50 1,200 40 1,000 NW NW SE SE SE 30 NW SSSSW SWSW 800
NE E 600 20 400 10 200
0 0 31 02 04 06 08 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 02 JANUARY FEBRUARY 2003 MARCH
Figure 6: Compared changes in wind speed and radon concentration measured on the ground floor.
and electrical penetrations. Determination of the permeability of the indicated a high level of permeability between the basement and the house, carried out by static pressurisation using an external ventilator, ground floor, thus confirming high radon transfer levels between the showed that the overall casing of the house is relatively permeable basement and the ground floor. This migration is however signifi- to air (kitchen, piping, fireplace, extractor, store cupboard in a room cantly slowed down when the thermal gradient between the two upstairs (Bouilly et al., 2003). The ground floor and upstairs windows levels is unfavourable, i.e. when the temperature on the lower level is and the window on the basement staircase seemed very well sealed, considerably lower than on the upper level. contrary to the single-glazed wooden windows in the basement. The effect of the wind on the air renewal rate is predominant with respect to thermal drawdown when wind direction is perpendicular Conclusion to the facades with windows and doors. Indeed, south-easterly (10/09/02 and 10/20/02) and north-westerly winds (10/27/02) This experimental study, using instrumentation in a private house, helped to reduce radon concentration on the upper floors by increasing increased understanding and highlighted the mechanisms gover- air renewal in the house (facades with windows and doors). The ning the penetration and accumulation of radon controlling opposite occurred when the wind blew perpendicularly to a gable concentrations of this gas in the inside atmosphere of a building. (north-easterly winds) (Inard and Nastase, 2002). It also demonstrated the reliability and robust nature of the In Kersaint, radon from the soil/building interface migrates to the instruments used over the three years of monitoring. All the data upper levels of the building through different air channels such as collected during this experimental phase will help to test the non-joining stairs on the wooden staircase, piping and cracks in the validity of the RADON2 code developed by the IRSN to easily slabs. Radon migrates by diffusion and by advection linked to air and systematically study radon concentration in a building and movements governed by the pressure gradients existing between the eventually dispose of a risk diagnosis and management tool. different levels in the building. Spot SF6 gas tracer measurements
Collaborations Laboratory for Research into Transfer Phenomena in Buildings, La Rochelle University. Association for the Prevention of Atmospheric Pollution, Brest University References R. Améon, O. Diez, M. Dupuis, A. Merle-Szeremeta, 2004. Radon in buildings: instrumentation of an experimental house. 4th European Conference on Protection against Radon at Home and at Work. Prague. Bouilly, Allard, Genin, 2003 Étude des paramètres influents sur la concentration en radon d’une habitation. DEA (MPhil) placement report. Ferry, 2000. La migration du radon 222 dans un sol. Application aux stockages de résidus issus du traitement des minerais d’uranium. Thesis, inorganic chemistry speciality, Paris-sud University. C. Inard, I. Nastase, 2002. Détermination de classes de débit de ventilation de maisons individuelles types. Rapport n°620/11000403. D. Pellegrini, 1997 Étude de l’émanation du radon à partir de résidus de traitement de minerais d’uranium. Mise en évidence de relations entre le facteur d’émanation et les caractéristiques du matériau. Physics-chemistry thesis, Research unit of Sciences and Techniques, Franche-Comté.
22 Radioactivity and Environment newsflashnewsflashnewsflashnewsflashnewsflashnews
Development of management software for interlaboratory tests on radioactivity measurements in 2.4 environmental samples The Sample Processing and Environmental Metrology There are two distinct types of processing concer- Department at the IRSN initiated a policy at the end ning: measurements carried out within the IRSN, of 2004 to obtain COFRAC accreditation as an “orga- such as the evaluation of homogeneity and the sta- Cédric AUBERT Environmental Radioactivity niser of interlaboratory comparisons” for radioacti- bility of samples (water, soil, plants, etc.) and the Measurement Laboratory vity measurements on environmental samples. determination of reference values for activities prior Accreditation is recognition of organisational and to submitting them to the participating laboratories technical competence. This is crucial for our key for analysis; the results delivered by the participants, influencer, the French General Directorate for Nuclear such as comparison with normal distribution, identi- Safety and Radiological Protection (DGSNR) and for fication of outliers, the characterisation of results participating laboratories. and the evaluation of performance. Software for managing interlabo- The functional specification, design and develop- ratory tests was developed as part ment phases of the software took place during the first of this policy. It will allow moni- half of 2005. The validation phase, crucial in terms of toring of results from interlabora- the reliability of the tool and achievement of accredi- tory tests. Its purpose is also to tation for the organisation of interlaboratory compari- manage the participating labora- sons, started in June 2005. The software was used for Samples for intercomparison. tory database (registration, com- the first time in July 2005 to process laboratory results munication and recording of results) and to process from gamma spectrometry measurements on artificial statistics from the different measurement results. radioactivity in water and natural radioactivity in soil.
CAPHEINE project
The CAPHEINE (characterisation of transfer pheno- The CAPHEINE project started on 1st January mena of potentially toxic trace elements into a non- 2005 for a period of two and a half years. Its pur- saturated area) project is carried out in conjunction pose is to specify and prioritise the mechanisms 2.5 with the CNRSSP (French national centre for research governing the transfer of trace elements. Laboratory into polluted sites and soil) in Douai.This project is part simulations have been designed and developed on of a research programme focusing on the study of the metric working columns in which it is attempted to migration of radioactive or metal reproduce pollutant transfers in a system with seve- Christophe ARDOIS, pollutants into the non-satura- ral controlled layers of hydraulic (permeability) and Denise STAMMOSE Soil and Sub-soil Transfer ted areas of soils. Indeed, the chemical (composition) characteristics. The para- Research Laboratory CNRSSP has been studying the meters describing these transfers are correlated storage of flushing elements for with the hydric regime, resulting from alternating several years. The flushing ele- dry and wet periods in particular. Measurements are ments present complex structu- carried out at scale 1 on the polluted site equipped res due to the succession of with appropriate instruments to confirm laboratory depositing phases and the varied findings. Through studying different hydrogeoche- nature of the materials deposi- mical conditions, the findings from this work contri- ted. This heterogenous activity bute to improving overall understanding of the results in alternating non-satura- phenomena governing the migration of pollutants ted and saturated areas of varia- into a non-saturated area, whether they are stable Performance of a field permeability test. ble extents in time and space. or radioactive.
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The need for multi-disciplinary expertise: example of the Camargue 2.6 sand initiative
Laurent POURCELOT 100 m Laboratory for Continental and Marine Radioecological Studies
6 m
A Camargue beach. A darker patch can be seen in the centre of the picture: an area of “radioactive” sand.
In 2004, the IRSN Laboratory for Continental and aspects, the mineralogy laboratories of the Nice – Marine Radioecological Studies set up a research Côte d’Azur University and the University of initiative to explain how radioactive matter became Hiroshima for the mineralogical analyses, and the concentrated in certain parts of the Camargue coast, IRSN Environmental Radioactivity Measurement and to find out where the heavy minerals in the sand Laboratory in Orsay for radioactivity measurements. containing this radioactivity came from. A multi- In the case of this survey, environmental protection disciplinary team was mobilised to respond to this was considered alongside the radiological protection issue and to take advantage of the pooling of of the population, which required the use of specific analytical resources and specific knowledge about skills in dosimetry evaluation. This is why the work the environments. A multi-disciplinary approach is was carried out in conjunction with several IRSN often required in the field of earth science when departments to assess the radiological consequences confronted with a complex issue such as that of the for people using the beaches mentioned. It mainly Camargue sand, where several observation levels are involved estimating the doses by external exposure, needed: distribution of radioactivity on the beaches from dose flows measured by the Orsay laboratory, of the Gulf of Lions and on the Camargue coast, on and internal doses by assimilation by the organism portions of the beach, in sand samples and actually of natural radioactive isotopes should sand be within the minerals on a microscopic level. inhaled or ingested. These estimations were carried The team formed to carry out the study included out by the IRSN Ionising Radiation Dosimetry and the CEREGE (European Centre for Research and Experimental Radiotoxicology Laboratories. Teaching of Environmental Geoscience,Aix-Marseille 3 This study illustrates the worthwhile nature of University) for the sedimentological studies and research partnerships: eight laboratories will have apatite mineralogy, the CGS (Centre for Surface contributed to this survey. A final report shall be Geochemistry, Strasbourg University) for geochemical delivered at the end of 2006.
24 Radioactivity and Environment newsflashnewsflashnewsflashnewsflashnewsflashnews
Current stance on radiological protection in the environment
IRSN’s stance on protecting the environment ments which are both sources of exposure and 2.7 against the effects of radiation has been drawn up habitats for living organisms, as well as the interac- into a publication in the “Documents de doctrine et tions within and between these components. It is de synthèse” collection. necessary to be able to scientifically evaluate the In this publication, the IRSN recalls that in terms of current and future risk caused by radionuclides on radiological protection, the approach to environ- the environment. Annie SUGIER Stakeholders’ Mission mental protection was long influenced by the ICRP The IRSN adheres to the approach adopted by the premise that if man is protected, other species are not ICRP of ensuring consistency between the system for in danger. Over the last decade, the lack of scientific protecting the environment and the system for confirmation of this statement and the growing protecting humans. This consistency is currently influence of environmental concerns, as demonstrated being developed via the notion of reference animals by numerous international conferences, has led to a and plants, similar to that of the reference man, used re-examination of this premise. as a common base for simplified dose calculations. The IRSN considers that an environmental radio- Thus, the transfer channels in the environment used logical protection system must attempt to preserve to analyse human exposure are analysed according the structure and functioning of ecosystems. This to the concepts, methods and tools common to the involves considering biotic and abiotic compart- two risk assessment areas.
Two publications on the state of the art in terms of protecting the environment from radioactivity 2.8 following the ECORAD 2004 congress
Organised by the IRSN in September 2004 on the topic of “scientific basis for environment Sandrine MARANO protection against radioactivity”, the Ecorad 2004 Scientific and Technical Knowledge congress was a great success: 320 participants from Engineering Division 36 countries presenting about 150 speeches over Nathalie CHAPTAL-GRADOZ five days in Aix-en-Provence. The work, presenting Environment and Response Division the state of the art in this field, was collated into two publications in 2005: firstly the full texts of the congress entitled “ECORAD 2004 - The Scientific Basis for Environment Protection Against Radioactivity” were published in the collection “radioprotection colloques”, a supplement of the Radioprotection journal by the French Radiological Protection Society (SFRP); and contributions from scientific personalities invited to the congress were collated into a publication in the
“Colloques” series, a collection of IRSN scientific 1- Radioprotection, volume 40, publications, entitled “Scientific trends in radiological Suppl. 1 (May 2005), 986 p., Ed. EDP Sciences also available online on the web site protection of the environment - ECORAD 2004”. www.edpsciences.org The next Ecorad congress is scheduled for 2007. 2- 168 p., Ed. Tec et Doc – Lavoisier
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 25 newsflashnewsflashnewsflashnewsflashnewsflashnews
EXTREME project: radionuclide redistribution coinciding with intense climatic events 2.9 While primary contributions of artificial radionu- of extreme radionuclide redistribution processes. clides in the environment have been falling signifi- Various national and international programmes, in cantly over the last decade or more, some accumu- which the IRSN is involved, are focusing on the study lation compartments form secondary sources of of transfers during these exceptional phenomena relatively significant radioactivity. Redistribution which have a major impact on annual flows (ORME Frédérique EYROLLE Laboratory for from these storage environments formed in the past regional project(1), EUROSTRATAFORM European Continental and Marine still continues today, particularly during episodes of project(2), PNEC(3)). Radioecological Studies intense climatic events such as precipitation or Initiated by the Institute in 2004, the EXTREME atmospheric deposits, high water levels, floods or project aims to study the human and environmental storms, etc. These paroxystic episodes may indeed impact of natural processes generating event-related move large masses of matter between the different flows or stocks of natural or artificial radioactivity in (1) ORME: Mediterranean regional environmental environments, instigate a greater level of activity several environments, such as the atmosphere, soils, observatory for the than during an average transfer process, and thus rivers, the coastal marine environment and the deep Life and Society Environment produce radioactivity flows often equivalent to the marine environment.This knowledge is used to further Programme carried out by the CNRS research flows accumulated over several months, or even studies on how to manage post-accident situations institute, begun in several years. This focus of research is one of the and how to protect the environment. This will also 2000. key scientific repercussions of the IRSN’s CAROL contribute to responding to the issues raised by a (2) EUROSTRATAFORM: European Margin (Camargue-Rhône-Languedoc) project carried out society increasingly preoccupied by actual exposure Strata Formation - European programme until 2003. Indeed, while this project made it possi- at all scales and levels of radioactivity and by the 2002-2005. ble to identify the key mechanisms leading to the aftermath of exceptional climatic events. The poten- (3) PNEC: National Programme for the current overall distribution of radionuclides in the tial radiological consequences of these events on the Coastal Environment, Rhône catchment basin, it also underlined the short- populations affected locally or temporarily will thus begun in 1999. comings in knowledge relating to the consequences be assessed.
Variability of the washout coefficient of atmospheric contaminants
To better appraise the variability of the atmosphe- Toulon site to study Mediterranean showers and 2.10 ric transfer coefficient during rainfall, known as the precipitation related to Saharan dust fallout. Given the washout coefficient, an experimental approach, with very low levels of activity to be measured and the wish observations over the duration of the rainfall events, to appraise the effectiveness and variability of the will be carried out by the IRSN in 2005 and 2006. This washout coefficient for each event, these mechanisms study will offer better understanding of the meteoro- must combine collection areas of several square meters Olivier Masson Laboratory for logical characteristics encountered in a post-accident while distinguishing between dry and wet fallout, Continental and Marine situation. In these situations, the actual environmental contrary to the current mechanisms which collect Radioecological Studies parameters of the site concerned at the time of the overall fallout only at monthly intervals. These two accident or over the next few days must be considered sites will also be equipped with powerful suction instead of mean parameters. Carried out in conjunc- turbines (up to 600 m3.h-1), to collect and analyse tion with the universities of Clermont-Ferrand and the aerosols present in the air at soil level.All of these Toulon – La Valette, this study plans to develop rain- developments are carried out in conjunction with water collectors with automatic opening.These will be the IRSN’s Environmental Radioactivity Measurement installed on test sites on the IRSN’s OPERA network: Laboratory (STEME/LMRE) which will use its most the Puy-de-Dôme site to study oceanic precipitation effective radiation detectors, and particularly those or precipitation related to easterly winds and the from the Modane underground laboratory.
26 Radioactivity and Environment 2.11 Key dates
2005 2.11
April On 8th April 2004, an accelerated mass organised a workshop for the European spectrometer for carbon 14 analysis was ERICA (Environmental Risk from Ionising inaugurated at Gif-sur-Yvette (Essonne, Contaminants) programme in Aix-en-Provence France). as part of the 6th FPRD.
August January In August 2004, a four-year contract was In January 2005, the report on the CAROL signed to renew the partnerships between (Camargue-Rhône-Languedoc) project to the IRSN, the UIAR (Ukrainian Institute of observe and study radioactivity in the Agricultural Radiology) and the IGS (Institute environment was published (see page 12). of Geological Sciences) regarding the project for an experimental Chernobyl platform to June study the transport of radionuclides in the In June 2005, publication of the overall immediate vicinity of a trench of waste in summary report of findings from research the Chernobyl exclusion zone. into the airborne dispersion of pollutants concerning the suspension of contamination September involving solids, performed as part of a From the 6th to 10th September 2004, common interest programme with COGEMA. the IRSN organised the 2nd edition of the June also saw the inauguration of the new ECORAD international congress providing IRSN offices in Seyne-sur-Mer (Laboratory updates on the scientific bases for protecting for Continental and Marine Radioecological the environment against radioactivity. Then Studies) backed by funding from the (1) ERDF: European Regional Development Fund. from 10th to 13th September 2004, the IRSN ERDF(1) in particular.
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 27 2.11 Position of authors in the IRSN organisational chart
Article page Article page
2 Environment and Response Division (DEI), central level. 23 Environmental Radioactivity Measurement Laboratory (LMRE); Sample Processing and Environmental Metrology Department (STEME); Environment and Response Division (DEI).
4 Cherbourg-Octeville Radioecology Laboratory (LRE); Department for the Study of the Behaviour Soil and Sub-soil Transfer Research Laboratory (LETS); Department for the Analysis of Risk of Radionuclides in Ecosystems (SECRE); Environment and Response Division (DEI). Related to the Geosphere (SARG); Environment and Response Division (DEI).
12 Laboratory for Continental and Marine Radioecological Studies (LERCM); Department 24 Laboratory for Continental and Marine Radioecological Studies (LERCM); for the Study and Supervision of Radioactivity in the Environment (SESURE); Environment Department for the Study and Supervision of Radioactivity in the Environment (SESURE); and Response Division (DEI). Environment and Response Division (DEI).
Environmental Modelling Laboratory (LME); Department for the Study of the Behaviour of Radionuclides in Ecosystems (SECRE); Environment and Response Division (DEI). 25 Stakeholders’ Mission (MPP); Division for Stategy, Development and External Relations (DSDRE).
Sample Processing and Environmental Metrology Department (STEME); Environment and Scientific and Technical Knowledge Engineering Division (DICST); Division for Scientific Response Division (DEI). and Technical Evaluation, and Quality (DESTQ).
Environmental Radioactivity Measurement Laboratory (LMRE); Sample Processing and Environment and Response Division (DEI), central level. Environmental Metrology Department (STEME); Environment and Intervention Division (DEI).
Radioecology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory (LRE); Department for the Study of the Behaviour 26 Laboratory for Continental and Marine Radiolecoogical Studies (LERCM); Department for of Radionuclides in Ecosystems (SECRE); Environment and Response Division (DEI). the Study and Supervision of Radioactivity in the Environment (SESURE); Environment and Response Division (DEI).
18 Laboratory for the Study of Radon and Risk Analysis (LERAR); Department for the Analysis of Risks Related to the Geosphere (SARG); Environment and Response Division (DEI).
28 Radioactivity and Environment Article page
23 Environmental Radioactivity Measurement Laboratory (LMRE); Sample Processing and Environmental Metrology Department (STEME); Environment and Response Division (DEI).
Soil and Sub-soil Transfer Research Laboratory (LETS); Department for the Analysis of Risk Related to the Geosphere (SARG); Environment and Response Division (DEI). 2.11
24 Laboratory for Continental and Marine Radioecological Studies (LERCM); Department for the Study and Supervision of Radioactivity in the Environment (SESURE); Environment and Response Division (DEI).
25 Stakeholders’ Mission (MPP); Division for Stategy, Development and External Relations (DSDRE).
Scientific and Technical Knowledge Engineering Division (DICST); Division for Scientific and Technical Evaluation, and Quality (DESTQ).
Environment and Response Division (DEI), central level.
26 Laboratory for Continental and Marine Radiolecoogical Studies (LERCM); Department for the Study and Supervision of Radioactivity in the Environment (SESURE); Environment and Response Division (DEI).
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 29 2.11
Theses vivaed
Thomas Perrier Study of the sorption-desorption parameters of transuranian actinides and modelling of their mobilisation in superficial horizons of French agricultural soil Thesis prepared at the Radioecology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory, vivaed on 06/15/04 at the Henri Poincaré Nancy 1 University.
Francis Denison Chemical speciation and bioavailability of radionuclides within continental hydrosystems; application to uranium and to a filtering bivalve indicating contamination Thesis prepared at the Radioecology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory, vivaed on 07/22/04 at the Provence - Aix - Marseille 1 University.
Aurélien Gouzy Study of the behaviour of plutonium during diagenesis of marine sediments; example of the long-term prospects for radionuclides released into the Channel by the La Hague plant Thesis prepared at the Radioecology Laboratory in Cherbourg-Octeville, vivaed on 12/17/04 at the Caen - Basse-Normandie University.
Laetitia Laroche Accumulation of radionuclides in a soil-plant system during chronic exposure in a context of metal multi-pollution. Microlocalisation, speciation and biological effects in plants Thesis prepared at the Radioecology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory, vivaed on 01/21/05 at the Provence - Aix - Marseille 1 University.
Hélène Morlon Interactions of technetium and selenium with the unicellular green algue, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Thesis prepared at the Radioecology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory, vivaed on 03/04/05 at the Bordeaux 1 University.
Alexandre Petroff Phenomenological study of captation of a contamination present in the atmospheric boundary layer in plants Thesis prepared at the Environmental Modelling Laboratory, vivaed on 04/15/05 at the Méditerranée - Aix - Marseille 2 University.
Élodie Fournier Bioavailability and effects of a long-life radionuclide, 79Se, in continental aquatic ecosystems. Study of a single trophic chain: algae-bivalves Thesis prepared at the Radioecology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory, vivaed on 10/10/05 at the Bordeaux 1 University.
Cédric Baudrit Consideration of uncertainty in the evaluation of risk exposure Thesis prepared at the Laboratory for Continental and Marine Radioecological Research Studies and at the Applied Mathematics and Corium Physics Laboratory, vivaed on 10/19/05 at the Paul Sabatier Toulouse 3 University.
30 Radioactivity and Environment IRSN sites
Clamart (Head office) Staff departments Cherbourg-Octeville Fontenay-aux-Roses ■ Environment Operational activities ■ Defence nuclear expertise ■ Environment and response Le Vésinet ■ Human radiation protection ■ Environment and response ■ Reactor safety ■ Human radiation protection ■ Safety of plants, laboratories, transportation and waste 2.11 Saclay ■ Safety of plants, laboratories, transportation and waste Orsay ■ Environment
Pierrelatte Agen ■ Response Cadarache ■ ■ Environment and response Human radiation ■ Environment protection ■ Prevention of major accidents ■ Human radiation protection ■ Defence nuclear expertise
Les Angles – Avignon ■ Response Mahina – Tahiti ■ Safety of plants, laboratories, ■ Environment transportation and waste
La Seyne-sur-Mer ■ Environment
Fontenay-aux-Roses Les Angles – Avignon Clamart B.P. 17 550, rue de la Tramontane – Les Angles Head Office 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex B.P. 70295 Orsay 77-83, avenue du Général-de-Gaulle Tel: +33 (0)1 58 35 88 88 30402 Villeneuve-Avignon Cedex Bois-des-Rames (bât. 501) 92140 Clamart Tel: +33 (0)4 90 26 11 00 91400 Orsay Tel: +33 (0)1 58 35 88 88 La Seyne-sur-Mer Tel: +33 (0)1 69 85 58 40 Centre Ifremer de Méditerranée Mahina – Tahiti Agen B.P. 330 B.P. 519 Pierrelatte B.P. 27 83507 La Seyne-sur-Mer Cedex Tahiti Papeete, French Polynesia B.P. 166 47002 Agen Tel: +33 (0)4 94 30 48 29 Tel: +689 54 00 25 26702 Pierrelatte Cedex Tel: +33 (0)5 53 48 01 60 Tel: +33 (0)4 75 50 40 00 Le Vésinet Cherbourg-Octeville Cadarache 31, rue de l’Écluse Rue Max-Paul Fouchet Saclay B.P. 3 B.P. 35 B.P. 10 Centre CEA de Saclay 13115 Saint-Paul-lez-Durance Cedex 78116 Le Vésinet 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex Tel: +33 (0)4 42 19 91 00 Tel: +33 (0)1 30 15 52 00 Tel: +33 (0)2 33 01 41 00 Tel: +33 (0)1 69 08 60 00
IRSN - 2005 Scientific and Technical Report 31 Editorial Coordination Scientific, Technical and Quality Assessment Division
Editorial Committee DESTQ: J. Lewi, M. Colin DSR: A. Dumas, G. Bruna DSDRE: T. Bolognese, G. Monchaux DSU: P. Cousinou DEI: N. Chaptal-Gradoz, D. Boulaud DEND: J. Jalouneix, D. Franquard DCOM: M.L. de Heaulme, H. Fabre DPAM: B. Goudal DRPH: J. Brenot, P. Monti
Articles written by IRSN
Coordination of Production Communications Department, CPRP
Graphic Design and Coordination Lp active
Production Assistance LAO Conseil, ré[craie]action, summer time
Translation Mic Assistance
Printing Idéale Prod /JPA, Imprim Vert certified
Photo Credits IRSN IRSN/Seignette-Lafontan
Illustrations Stéphane Jungers
© Communication IRSN ISSN no. pending
32 Radioactivity and Environment
F2 BAG3 Couverture-EN 24/11/06 16:15 Page 1
Safety of the Geological Research, Assessment, Storage of Radioactive Transmission of Knowledge Waste 200 Ionising Radiation Scientific and 5 and Human Health Safety of Installations, Accident Scenarios Technical Report
Radioactivity and Environment Severe Accidents and Crisis Anticipation
Radioactivity and Environment
2 Radioecology: working to describe, explain 2 and anticipate 2.1 Plutonium behaviour in marine sediments in 4 the Irish Sea and the Channel 2 2.2 Scientific contributions from the CAROL project 12 Camargue-Rhône-Languedoc 2.3 Radon in buildings: phenomenological study 18 newsflashnewsflashnewsflashnewsflashnewsflash 2.4 Development of management software for 23 interlaboratory tests on radioactivity measurements in environmental samples 2.5 CAPHEINE project Head office 2.6 The need for multi-disciplinary expertise: 24 77-83, avenue du Général-de-Gaulle example of the Camargue sand initiative 92140 Clamart - France Registered under Nanterre RCS B440 546 018 2.7 Current stance on radiological protection in the environment 25 2.8 Two publications on the state of the art in terms Telephone of protecting the environment from radioactivity following +33 (0)1 58 35 88 88 the ECORAD 2004 congress 2.9 EXTREME project: radionuclide redistribution 26 Postal address coinciding with intense climatic events B.P. 17 Variability of the washout coefficient of atmospheric contaminants 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex - France 2.10
Web site 2.11 Key dates - Position of authors in the IRSN 27 www.irsn.org organisational chart - Theses vivaed