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
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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)
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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)
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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)
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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)
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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).
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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).
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
IUR publications and scientific events
� Report series
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
IUR publications and scientific events
� Report series
� Newsletter
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
IUR publications and scientific events
� Report series
� Newsletter
� Website
Email: [email protected]://www.iur-uir.org/
May 2008
Jan. 2008
Dec. 2007
July 2007
8420 /month
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
IUR publications and scientific events
� Report series
� Newsletter
� Website
� Conferences, workshops and seminars
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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, …
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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)
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
� 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
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
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
Union Internationale de Radio écologie 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
Union Internationale de Radio écologie International Union of Radioecology
Reboost of nuclear industry to fill theworldwide energetic demand
Exciting future for Radioecology
Still much to be done
New coming members much welcome