Radiation doses and effects estimated for aquatic biota exposed to radioactive releases from LWR fuel-cycle facilities
Aquatic organisms are exposed to radionuclides released to the environment during various steps of the nuclear fuel cycle. Routine releases from these processes are restricted in compliance with the International Commission on Radiological Protection, which recommends limits for radiation doses to the general public. It is generally accepted that aquatic organisms will not receive damaging external radiation doses in such environments. Because of the possible bioaccumulation of radionuclides, however, there is concern that aquatic organisms might be adversely affected by internal doses. The objectives of this article are to estimate the radiation dose received by aquatic biota from the different processes and to determine the major dose-contributing radionuclides and to assess the impact of estimated doses on aquatic biota. Dose estimates are made by using measurements of radionuclide concentrations in the liquid effluents of representative facilities. Where such measurements are not available, predicted radioactive releases to the aquatic environment are used. The effects of chronic low-level radiation on aquatic organisms are discussed from somatic and genetic viewpoints. On the basis of the body of radiobiological evidence accumulated to date, no significant deleterious effects are predicted for populations of aquatic organisms exposed to the estimated dose rates resulting from routine releases from conversion, enrichment, fabrication, reactor and reprocessing facilities. At the doses estimated for milling and mining operations, it would be difficult to detect radiation effects on aquatic populations. However, the significance of such radiation exposures to aquatic populations cannot be fully evaluated without further research on effects of chronic low-level radiation.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
- OSTI ID:
- 7272815
- Journal Information:
- Nucl. Saf.; (United States), Vol. 17:3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION DOSES
LIQUID WASTES
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
FUEL CYCLE
ICRP
LOW DOSE IRRADIATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
DOSES
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
IRRADIATION
ISOTOPES
RADIATION EFFECTS
WASTES
560162* - Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
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Microorganisms
& Cells
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520300 - Environment
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