Radioecological study of the consequences of nuclear wastes in an important river basin

Technical Report · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1973

OSTI ID:4938930

Houeelle, M; Mercier, C; Revol, H

From European study group of radioprotection and of protection of the environment; Budapest, Hungary (3 Sep 1973). The following sources of radioactivity in the Rhone basin are discussed: nuclear research installations; uranium isotope separation plants; plants for treatment of nuclear fuels; and nuclear reactors. The importance of studies on mechanisms of radionuclide discharge and transfer pathways in the basin is pointed out. The dominant role of the utilization of water in the estimation of risks is emphasized. Laboratory experiments and in situ research have been concerned with: hydrology studies; radioactive contamination of living organisms in the environment and evaluation of concentration factors; studies on mechanisms of fixation and diffusion of radionuclides in the soil introduced by irrigation; and studies on radionuclide migration in irrigation water. A study of radionuclide distribution in the Rhone basin included dispersion of /sup 90/Sr and /sup 137/Cs in the river; radioactive contamination of aquatic organisms and use of the eel as an indicator of pollution; and contamination of agricultural plants with /sup 90/Sr, /sup 137/Cs, and other radionuclides. Studies on soil contamination included mechanisms of transfer of /sup 137/Cs and /sup 90/Sr in various types of soil. The roles of dilution and dispersion in reducing the hazards of radioactive contamination are discussed. (HLW)

• Research Organization: CEA Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay, 91 - Gif-sur-Yvette (France)
• Sponsoring Organization: Sponsor not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-29-026829
• OSTI ID: 4938930
• Report Number(s): CEA-CONF--2465; CONF-730984--1
• Country of Publication: France
• Language: French

Related Subjects

ANIMALS
CESIUM 137
CONTAMINATION
DIFFUSION
DILUTION
ENVIRONMENT
FRANCE
HYDROLOGY
IRRIGATION
N44230* --Environmental & Earth Sciences--Radioactive Effluents--Water
N44330 --Environmental & Earth Sciences--Radioactivity Monitoring & Transport--Water
N48510 --Life Sciences--Radiation Effects on Animals--Man
N48720 --Life Sciences--Nuclide Kinetics & Toxicology--Animals
N48730 --Life Sciences--Nuclide Kinetics & Toxicology--Plants
NUCLEAR FUELS
NUCLEAR INDUSTRY
PLANTS
POLLUTION
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIOECOLOGY
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
REACTORS
REVIEWS
RIVERS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOILS
STRONTIUM 90
URANIUM ISOTOPES