International Union of Radioecology A renewed strategy in ... ASSEMBLY/iur-presentation-bergen-jul… · Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology

Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology

François BRECHIGNAC

President

International Union of International Union of RadioecologyRadioecology

A A renewedrenewed strategystrategy in a in a changingchanging worldworld


What is Radioecology ?

A world of interactions between:

– Environmental radioactivity (natural, anthropogenically released)

– Environment per se (abiotic compartments, biotic components)

– Needs of protection of man and the environment

A multidisciplinary scientific discipline:

– Academic: ecology, ecotoxicology, geophysics, geology, limnology, physiology, pedology, climatology, oceanography, …

– Risk oriented: radioprotection, health physics, regulation, human and ecological risk assessment, international harmonisation,…

But all dedicated to understand and master the impact s of radioactivity on the biosphere (man included)


What is Radioecology ?

A world of interactions between:

– environmental radioactivity (natural, anthropogenically released)

– environment per se (abiotic compartments, biotic components)

– Needs of protection of man and the environment

A multidisciplinary scientific discipline:

– Academic: ecology, ecotoxicology, geophysics, geology, limnology, physiology, metrology, climatology, oceanography, …

– Risk oriented: radioprotection, health physics, regulation, human and ecological risk assessment, international harmonisation,…

But all dedicated to understand and master the impact s of radioactivity on the biosphere (man included)


IUR focused on the environment

� Sustainable development: societal emphasis over the envi ronment in response to impacts disturbing the biosphere

� Precautionary approach towards risk now widely accepted: need to anticipate even when impacts are not fully known

� Fears leading to retrograde and sterile behaviours: b anning technology-driven changes

� Best response is to adopt a movement that is knowledge-dr iven: anticipation – evaluation - risk mastering

� Applies to Radioecology : ensuring the sustainable devel opment of nuclear activities with respect to man, the environment a nd futuregenerations


IUR brief description

� Non-political, non-profit Knowing Society dedicated to theworldwide development of Radioecology : “Think Tank“

� Founded in the 70s as an International Association

� More that 1000 registered, nearly 550 active members, world wide

� Main tools of action:– Dedicated Task Groups (brain storming)

– Dissemination of information (Congresses, Workshops, Seminars)

– Networking – Website: www.iur-uir.org

– Training courses


IUR membership

IUR MEMBERSHIP (countries represented)

5 countries,

(10 members)

2 countries,

(33 members)

22 countries,

(256 members)9 countries,

(192 members)

8 countries,

(35 members)

8 countries,

(11 members)

Africa & Middle East

Asia

Euro-Asia (Community of

Independent States, CIS)

Europe

North America

South & Central America,

Caribbean and Mexico

Total 2008 : 54 countries, 537 members

IUR MEMBERSHIP

(members' geographical distribution)

3511

192

256

33 10


BRAZILInstituto de Radioproteção e DosimetriaWASSERMANAngelica

UNITED KINGDOMWestlakes Scientific Consulting Ltd.VIVES I BATLEJordi

BELGIUMUniversité libre de BruxellesTURCANUCatrinel

JAPANNational Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS)TAGAMIKeiko

NORWAYNorwegian Radiation Protection AuthoritySTANDRINGWilliam

NORWAYNorwegian Radiation Protection AuthoritySICKELMorten

SOUTH AFRICAResource Quality Services,SEKOKOIsrael

IRANSchool of Paramedical and HealthSAGHATCHIFaranak

USATexas Christian UniversityPINDERJohn

MOROCCONational Center for EnergyMRABETRachid

EGYPTFaculty of scienceKHALEDAhmed

IRAQSalahaddin University-HawlerISMAILAsaad

GERMANYIFW DresdenINOSOVDmytro

EGYPTSouth Valley University, Faculty of scienceHARBShaban

RUSSIARussian Institute of Agricultural Radiology and AgroecologyGERAS'KINStanislas

SWITZERLANDInstitut Universitaire de Radiophysique AppliquéeFROIDEVAUXPascal

BELGIUMSCK-CENDUQUENELisa

FRANCEIRSNDUFFACéline

SWITZERLANDFSS ConsultantsDEMOUGEOT-RENARDHélène

SWEDENSwedish International Biodiversity ProgrammeCARROLLSimon

SWEDENStockholm UniversityBRADSHAWClare

CountryInstitute ANameFirst

IUR new members (2007-2008)


Current elected Board of Council(2007-2010)

Regular: Regional coordinators:

François Bréchignac (France), President Rachid El Mrabet (Morocco), Africa & Middle East

Rudolf Alexakhin (Russia), Vice-President Kathy Higley (USA), Northern America

Per Strand (Norway), General Secretary Yuri Kutlakhmedov (Ukraine), CIS countries

Deborah Oughton (UK), Treasurer XXX , Asia & Australasia

Jose Marcus Godoy (Brasil) Paulina Schuller (Chile), South America & Caraibean

Steve Sheppard (Canada) Hildegarde Vandenhove (Belgium), Europe

Board of Council Advisor for developing countries: A. Sattar Mollah (Bangladesh)


Historical perspective on radioecologyevolutions

� Before 1985: First steps of Radioecology– Pathways of radionuclides transfer to man

– Some radiobiology on animals, plants and ecosystems (Effects of γ irradiation)

� 1986-1997: “Chernobyl“ human radioprotection– Pathways of radionuclides transfer to man boosted to support human radioprotection

needs (137 Cs, 90Sr, modelling, remediation)

– (Much reduced Radioecotoxicological studies on wild species and ecosystems)

� “Post-Chernobyl“ period: 1998-2007– Initial decline pending to political decisions (e.g. Stone, Science, 2002)

– Recent reboost of nuclear energy in response to requirements for sustainabledevelopment :

- Pathways to man, animals, plants and ecosystems- Effects studies on man, animals, plants and ecosystems to ensure adequateradioprotection of man and the environment


Recent radioecology evolution

Fauna

Flora

ManECOSYSTEM

Life support

Services

Linear Transfers Cyclic Transfers + Effects

Low doses Chronic exposuresMultiple stressors

PAST NOW

ManSources

Environment Environment

Biogeochemical



IUR TG dedicated to human radioprotection

� Radioecological parameters values: Update of TRS 364 (j ointIAEA/IUR) (launched in 2001)Data base of transfer factors and concentration ratios fo r use in operational radiological impact assessments.

� Radioecological sensitivity (launched in 2007)Multicriteria analysis and parameters ranking based on a dvanced statisticaltools to aid operational decision making.

� Radioecology and waste (launched in 2002, new in 2007)Review of state of the art knowledge, problems, and sc ientific gaps in relation to long-lived radionuclides to be burried in deep geologica l waste repositories.

� Radioecology and rice (launched in 2003)Expanding radioecological knowledge (transfer factors, etc…) to rice, an important food source to millions of people (Asia).


IUR TG dedicated to environmentradioprotection

� Protection of the environment (initiated in 1997)Identification of a conceptual gap in radiological prot ection. Foundation of theinitial concept of reference organisms now developed by IC RP Committee 5. Liaison and coherence with general environmental prote ction legislation, goals, objectives and methodologies.

� Radioecology and non-radioactive pollutants (launched in 2002)Development of risk assessement capability for multipoll utant mixtures(radionuclides in addition to organic, heavy metals, o ther stressors). Links with(eco)toxicology (SETAC).

� Arctic and Antarctic regions (linked to AMAP international programme)Fate, transport and impacts of radionuclides in/on pol ar environments and ecosystems.

� Speciation (launched in 2002)Radionuclides chemistry (key to bioavailability) and e volution with time, spaceand climatic conditions (in abiotic compartments and bi otic components).


IUR publications and scientific events

� Report series



� Report series

� Newsletter



� Report series

� Newsletter

� Website

Email: [email protected]://www.iur-uir.org/

May 2008

Jan. 2008

Dec. 2007

July 2007

8420 /month



� Report series

� Newsletter

� Website

� Conferences, workshops and seminars


IUR strategy : science

� Promoting prospective view and scientific innovation, “th ink tank“

– Best achieved through Task Groups activities, voluntary basis

– Initiatives rely within members‘ hands, … the Board helps and stimulates

– Example: TG on Protection of the environment (1997), precursor

� New scientific gatherings and undertakings

– Ex n°1: TG on Arctic & Antarctic recently re-launch ed (leader: M. Dowdall)

– Ex n°2: TG on NORMs within a pre-launch phase (leader: J.M. Godoy)

– Many potential subjects still awaiting action and critical mass:

Effects from low dose irradiation, propagation of effects from individuals to ecosystems, long term significance through the succesion of generations, appraisalof ecological knowledge (indirect effects, resilience,…), ecosystem approach to ecological risk assessment, transfers in tropical/changing environments, …


IUR strategy : networking

� Networking

– Worldwide international research network in Radioecology launched in 2003 based on 2 TG work “Protection of the environment“ & “Radioecology and non-radioactive contaminants“

• Research teams, facilities, priorities in research

• Basis for ongoing project under EURATOM to evaluate the feasibility of a future European Network of Excellence in Radioecology

– Expand towards establishment of an International Observatory: centraliseddata registry and assessment for environmental radiological assessment, international programme harmonisation (OECD recommendation, see NEA n°6167, 2007)


� Networking

– Federation of radioecology & environmental radioactivity associations

• Natural Radioactivity Environment Association (NREA)

• South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association (SPERA)

• International Union of Radioecology (IUR)

IUR strategy : networking


IUR strategy : coordination

� Coordination

– Formal linkage to “Journal of Environmental Radioactivity“

• Respective websitesinterlinkage (last publishedpapers on IUR site)

• Easier access for IUR members to the electronicJournal,…

Affiliated to the International Union of Radioecology


� Liaising with international radiological organisations

� Liaising with non-radiological relevant organisations

– FAO, WHO, SETAC, …

IUR

ICRP

UNSCEAR

IAEA

Prospective science Anticipation

Consolidation of published science

RecommendationsRegulatoryInternational

standards

Science

Operationaltranslation

IUR

ICRP

UNSCEAR

IAEA

Prospective science Anticipation

Consolidation of published science

RecommendationsRegulatoryInternational

standards

Science

Operationaltranslation

NREASPERA,…

IUR strategy : coordination


Reboost of nuclear industry to fill theworldwide energetic demand

Exciting future for Radioecology

Still much to be done

New coming members much welcome

Documents

International Union of Radioecology A renewed strategy in ... ASSEMBLY/iur-presentation-bergen-jul… · Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology