A dynamic dosimetry model for radioactive exposure scenarios in Arabidopsis thaliana.
To obtain a better understanding on how non-human biota are affected by exposure to environmental radioactivity, it is essential to link observed effects to a correct estimate of absorbed ionising radiation dose. Current wildlife dose rate and risk assessment tools are not set up to assess changes in dose rate during organism development. This paper presents a dosimetry model for assessing dose rate and absorbed dose during seedling development of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. We included growth and radionuclide absorption dynamics into the dose calculations. This model was subsequently used to compare the dose and dose rate calculations for three radionuclides, (241)Am (α-radiation), (90)Sr (β-radiation) and (133)Ba (γ-radiation), in a standard exposure scenario. We show that growth influences dose and dose rate and that this influence depends on the radionuclide and the organ involved. The use of dynamic dosimetry models greatly improves the dose calculations for effect studies.
SCK•CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Research, Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium. Electronic address: geert.biermans@gmail.com.
Geert
G
Biermans
SCK•CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
Nele
N
Horemans
Center for Statistics, Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; Centre for Health Economic Research and Modelling Infectious Diseases, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium.
Niel
N
Hens
SCK•CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
Jordi
J
Vives i Batlle
SCK•CEN, Biosphere Impact Studies, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium.
Hildegarde
H
Vandenhove
Centre for Environmental Research, Hasselt University, Agoralaan 1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Ann
A
Cuypers
D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
Arabidopsis thaliana; Exposure modelling; Plant dosimetry; Radiological protection