title: Development of emergency response tools for accidental radiological contamination of French coastal areas.
abstract: The Fukushima nuclear accident resulted in the largest ever accidental release of artificial radionuclides in coastal waters. This accident has shown the importance of marine assessment capabilities for emergency response and the need to develop tools for adequately predicting the evolution and potential impact of radioactive releases to the marine environment. The French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) equips its emergency response centre with operational tools to assist experts and decision makers in the event of accidental atmospheric releases and contamination of the terrestrial environment. The on-going project aims to develop tools for the management of marine contamination events in French coastal areas. This should allow us to evaluate and anticipate post-accident conditions, including potential contamination sites, contamination levels and potential consequences. In order to achieve this goal, two complementary tools are developed: site-specific marine data sheets and a dedicated simulation tool (STERNE, Simulation du Transport et du transfert d'Eléments Radioactifs dans l'environNEment marin). Marine data sheets are used to summarize the marine environment characteristics of the various sites considered, and to identify vulnerable areas requiring implementation of population protection measures, such as aquaculture areas, beaches or industrial water intakes, as well as areas of major ecological interest. Local climatological data (dominant sea currents as a function of meteorological or tidal conditions) serving as the basis for an initial environmental sampling strategy is provided whenever possible, along with a list of possible local contacts for operational management purposes. The STERNE simulation tool is designed to predict radionuclide dispersion and contamination in seawater and marine species by incorporating spatio-temporal data. 3D hydrodynamic forecasts are used as input data. Direct discharge points or atmospheric deposition source terms can be taken into account. STERNE calculates Eulerian radionuclide dispersion using advection and diffusion equations established offline from hydrodynamic calculations. A radioecological model based on dynamic transfer equations is implemented to evaluate activity concentrations in aquatic organisms. Essential radioecological parameters (concentration factors and single or multicomponent biological half-lives) have been compiled for main radionuclides and generic marine species (fish, molluscs, crustaceans and algae). Dispersion and transfer calculations are performed simultaneously on a 3D grid. Results can be plotted on maps, with possible tracking of spatio-temporal evolution. Post-processing and visualization can then be performed.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SESURE/LERCM, Antenne de Radioécologie Marine, Centre Ifremer, Zone portuaire de Brégaillon, 13507 La Seyne sur Mer, France. Electronic address: celine.duffa@irsn.fr.
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duffa
authors.affiliation: IRSN/PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, BP 10, Rue Max Pol Fouchet, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bailly du Bois
authors.affiliation: ACTIMAR, 36 quai de la Douane, 29200 Brest, France.
authors.forename: Matthieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caillaud
authors.affiliation: Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SESURE/LERCM, Antenne de Radioécologie Marine, Centre Ifremer, Zone portuaire de Brégaillon, 13507 La Seyne sur Mer, France.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Charmasson
authors.affiliation: IRSN/PRP-ENV/SESURE/EC, 31 rue de l'écluse, BP 40035, 78116 Le Vésinet Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Couvez
authors.affiliation: IRSN/PRP-CRI/SESUC/BMTA, 31, avenue de la Division Leclerc, BP 17, 92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Didier
authors.affiliation: IFREMER - Centre Bretagne, ZI de la Pointe du Diable, CS 10070, 29280 Plouzané, France.
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dumas
authors.affiliation: IRSN/PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, BP 10, Rue Max Pol Fouchet, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fievet
authors.affiliation: IRSN/PRP-ENV/SERIS/LRC, BP 10, Rue Max Pol Fouchet, 50130 Cherbourg-Octeville, France.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morillon
authors.affiliation: IRSN/PRP-ENV/SESURE/EC, 31 rue de l'écluse, BP 40035, 78116 Le Vésinet Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Renaud
authors.affiliation: Institut de Radioprotection et de Sureté Nucléaire (IRSN), PRP-ENV/SESURE/LERCM, Antenne de Radioécologie Marine, Centre Ifremer, Zone portuaire de Brégaillon, 13507 La Seyne sur Mer, France.
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thébault
mesh_terms: D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000378:metabolism; D004190:Disasters; D005602:France; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012623:Seawater / Q000032:analysis*; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011868:Radioisotopes; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive
keywords: Decision support; Marine; Modelling; Nuclear accident; Radioecology