Marine ecological risk assessment methods for radiation accidents

Sufen Ye, Luoping Zhang, Huan Feng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Ecological risk assessment (ERA) is a powerful technical tool that can be used to analyze potential and extreme adverse environmental impacts. With the rapid development of nuclear power plants in coastal areas around the world, the establishment of approaches and methodologies for marine ERA with a focus on radiation accidents is an urgent requirement for marine environmental management. In this study, the approaches and methodologies for ERA pertaining to marine radiation accidents (MRA) are discussed and summarized with applications in case studies, such as the nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan, and a hypothetical accident in Daya Bay, China. The concepts of ERA and Risk Degree of ERA on MRA are defined for the first time to optimize the ERA system. The results of case studies show that the ERA approach and methodology for MRA are scientifically sound and effective in both the early and late stage of MRAs along with classic ERA Approach and the ERICA Integrated Approach. The results can be useful in the decision-making processes and the risk management at the beginning of accident as well as the ecological restoration after the accident.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)65-76
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Environmental Radioactivity
Volume180
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2017

Keywords

  • Ecological risk assessment
  • Marine environment
  • Radiation accident

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