Background and anthropogenic radionuclide derived dose rates to freshwater ecosystem – Nuclear power plant cooling pond – Reference organisms

• Published in: Journal of environmental radioactivity 2011-08, Vol.102 (8), p.788-795
• Main Authors: Nedveckaite, T., Filistovic, V., Marciulioniene, D., Prokoptchuk, N., Plukiene, R., Gudelis, A., Remeikis, V., Yankovich, T., Beresford, N.-A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Anthropogenic radionuclides; Applied ecology; Aquatic Organisms - metabolism; Background radionuclides; Biological and medical sciences; Decision-making; Ecosystem; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environmental (freshwater ecosystem) radiation protection; Fresh Water; Fresh water environment; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Lithuania; Non-human biota; Power Plants; Radiation Monitoring; Radioactive Waste - analysis; Radioisotopes - analysis; Radioisotopes - metabolism; Water Pollutants, Radioactive - analysis; Water Pollutants, Radioactive - metabolism
• ISSN: 0265-931X; 1879-1700
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2011.04.012

The radiological assessment of non-human biota to demonstrate protection is now accepted by a number of international and national bodies. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a scientific basis to assess and evaluate exposure of biota to ionizing radiation. Radionuclides from the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (Lithuania) were discharged into Lake Druksiai cooling pond. Additional radionuclide migration and recharge to this lake from a hypothetical near-surface, low-level radioactive waste disposal, to be situated 1.5 km from the lake, had been simulated using RESRAD-OFFSITE code. This paper uses ERICA Integrated Approach with associated tools and databases to compare the radiological dose to freshwater reference organisms. Based on these data, it can be concluded that background dose rates to non-human biota in Lake Druksiai far exceed those attributable to anthropogenic radionuclides. With respect the fishery and corresponding annual committed effective human dose as a result of this fish consumption Lake Druksiai continues to be a high-productivity water body with intensive angling and possible commercial fishing. ► Dose rates to the reference organisms are lower than expected from the background radioactivity. ► Pelagic fish part of adult human annual committed effective dose would be as small as a few μSv y −1. ► With respect the fishery Lake Druksiai continues to be a high-productivity water body.