ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY LABORATORY
INRASTES, NCSR “Demokritos”, Athens, Greece

RADIATION PROTECTION, RADIOECOLOGY, AEROSOL SCIENCE
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RESEARCH .... Radiation Protection and Radioecology .... Aerosol Science

Radiation Protection and Radioecology

Terrestrial natural radioactivity

An important field of interest during the last 20 years are the regions/sites of enhanced natural radioactivity. This includes not only cases of natural origin, but also cases of "technological enhancement" of natural radioactivity, related to human activities. In the second case the radioactive materials are classified as TENORM = Technologically Enhanced  Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials.

A number of Greek thermal springs are characterized by very high concentrations of the natural radioactive isotope Rn222 ( "radon" ) . The radon spas of Ikaria, Loutraki, Kammena Vourla and Edypsos have been investigated by our research groups during the last decades. In some cases, significant yearly doses to the personnel, exceeding the limit of occupational exposure, have been estimated. R1  R2  R3  R4  R5  R6

Indoor Rn222 in Greek houses and working premises has been studied as well, in cooperation with other Greek scientific groups. Generally, no cases of extreme concentrations have been observed. The exhalation of Rn222 from typical building materials has been investigated as well, together with the concentrations of natural radionuclides in these materials. Contribution on methodology of radon measurements. R1  R2  R3  R4  R5  R6  R7  R8  R9

The lignite power plants of Greece have been also a subject of interest. Their operation may result in air contamination with natural radionuclides of the U238 series, if the fly ash filter systems are not sufficiently effective. A potential source of enhanced irradiation could be also the improper storage and/or use of the lignite ash byproduct - a typical case of TENORM. R1  R2  R3

The natural radioactivity of the Greek soils has been investigated in the frame of a national survey. R1
ERL participated also in other studies, related to natural radioactivity. R1

Radioactive pollution of the terrestrial environment

One of the first subjects of ERL was the registration and investigation of the environmental pollution due to the atmospheric nuclear tests. In parallel to the routine measurements, a number of scientific studies were performed during the 60ies and 70ies.

The Chernobyl accident (April 1986) was a very important event in the scientific history of ERL. The laboratory participated very actively in the routine activities, related to the registration of the impact of the accident to the Greek environment, foods and other goods (tens of thousands of measurements). These data were used for the decisions on official radiation protection countermeasures. The results are summarized in a number of DEMO reports, but also included in related EU reports. 

In parallel, a number of scientific studies, related to the impact of the Chernobyl nuclear accident, were undertaken by ERL and the results were reported in scientific publications and international scientific conferences. These studies included:

- A national survey of Cs137 deposition in Greece due to the Chernobyl accident. R1
- Evaluations of the radiological impact of the Chernobyl accident in Greece. R1  R2  R3  R4  R5  R6
- Studies of the soil-to-plant transfer of Cs137 in Greek soils. R1
- A study on the
contribution of lake fish consumption to the dose received by the Greek population due to the Chernobyl accident. R1
- A study of problems related to the evaluation of critical group doses.  R1  

Soil studies using Cs137 as a tracer. R1  R2

After the Fukushima nuclear accident, ERL monitored it's (minor) radiological impact in Greece and contributed to the information of the Greek authorities and the Greek population. R1

Marine and lake radioactivity and radioecology 

The marine radioactivity has been a major field of interest since the 80ies of the last century, starting with studies of transuranium elements in sea water.

Studies of natural radioactivity in the marine water. R1

After the Chernobyl accident, a number of studies and projects were related to the radioactive pollution of the marine environment and its radiological impact. This included:

- The contribution of fish consumption to the dose received by the Greek population due to the Chernobyl accident. R1  
- The dispersion of 137Cs in the Aegean and Ionian Sea. R1  R2  R3  R4  R5
- The study of radioactive cesium in Greek lake fish after the Chernobyl accident. R1
- The dispersion of Cs137 in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea. R1  R2
- Determination of radionuclides in Mytilus galloprovicialis. R1
- Radioecological studies in areas of elevated marine radioactivity. R1  R2  R3

Studies on heavy metals in marine water. R1  R2  R3

Determination of natural radionuclides in marine water and their use for investigation of the marine water dynamics.  R1  R2  R3  R4


Laboratories in collaboration with ERL 

- ΑριστοτÝλειο ΠανεπιστÞμιο Θεσσαλονßκης, ΤμÞμα ΦυσικÞς .. http://www.physics.auth.gr/ 
- ΕλληνικÞ ΕπιτροπÞ ΑτομικÞς ΕνÝργειας .. http://www.eeae.gr/gr
- Εθνικü Αστεροσκοπεßο Αθηνþν .. http://www.noa.gr
- Εθνικü & Καποδιστριακü ΠανεπιστÞμιο Αθηνþν, ΤμÞμα Χημεßας .. http://www.chem.uoa.gr
- Εθνικü Μετσüβειο Πολυτεχνεßο, ΣΕΜΦΕ, ΟμÜδα ΠυρηνικÞς ΦυσικÞς .. http://nuclearphysics.ntua.gr/index.php
- Institute de radioprotection de surete nucleaire (IRSN) .. http://www.irsn.fr/FR/Pages/Home.aspx
- JRC, Inst. of Reference Materials and Measurements .. http://irmm.jrc.ec.europa.eu
- National Institute for Marine Research & Development “Grigore Antipa”, Romania .. http://www.rmri.ro/Home/Home.html
- ΠανεπιστÞμιο Αιγαßου, ΤμÞμα ΠεριβÜλλοντος .. http://www.env.aegean.gr
- ΠανεπιστÞμιο Ιωαννßνων, ΤμÞμα ΦυσικÞς .. http://www.physics.uoi.gr/  
- ΠανεπιστÞμιο Κýπρου, ΤμÞμα Χημεßας .. http://www.ucy.ac.cy/chem/el  
- Ukrainian National Oceanographic Data Center – Biology (IBSS) .. http://nodc.ibss.org.ua  
- University of Belgrade, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy (INEP) .. http://www.bg.ac.rs/eng/memb/inst/en_instnukl.php