Objective
The mobility and transfer of radionuclides in an ecosystem is highly dependent on the physico-chemical form of the deposited radioactivity. A unique characteristic of the radioactivity released during the Chernobyl accident was the presence of particles of irradiated uranium oxide fuel, called hot particles. In the vicinity of the reactor a large fraction of the deposited radionuclides was associated with fuel particles, and fall-out in this region contained enhanced levels of refractory radionuclides, actinides (Pu), and 90Sr. Thus, the long-term behaviour of radionuclides in this area will be influenced to a large degree by physico-chemical properties of fuel particles, rates of weathering, release and transformation processes.
The main objective of this research study is to investigate the rates of release of radionuclides (i.e. 137Cs, 90Sr, Pu-isotopes, 241Am) from fuel particles and their transfer kinetics within the soil-water system. Characterisation of the size and properties of the fuel particle fraction of radionuclides in soils collected from the 30 km exclusion zone will be carried out using extraction techniques, autoradiography and alpha track analysis. The structure of isolated particles, before and after extraction, will be studied using electron microscopy. Kinetics of transformation processes will be determined by following the rate of release of radionuclides from fuel particles into soil solutions and other extractants over time. In addition, the rate of radionuclide adsorption by soils will be determined using both soil solutions containing radionuclides extracted from fuel particles and added radioactive tracers.
The presence of colloidal forms of radionuclides in soil solutions will be investigated using ultrafiltration techniques. The influence of microbial activity, pH and temperature on transformation kinetics will also be studied. Information obtained from studies of 137CS and 90Sr will be augmented by analysis of naturally occurring Cs and Sr in soils. Radionuclide determination will be carried out using gamma, beta and alpha spectrometry and actinides (Pu, Am will be determined using ICP-MS).
Results are expected to provide comprehensive data on the environmental effect of fuel particles in the event of a reactor accident; the studies carried out will provide data on the physico-chemical composition of fuel particles, including oxidation states of particles (i.e. UO2, UO3, U3O8), actinide levels (Pu and Am), kinetic parameters of transformation processes, the influence of soil parameters on particle weathering rates, and the future mobilisation of radionuclides, especially Sr-90 and actinides, from particles to run-off water and vegetation.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project has not yet been classified with EuroSciVoc.
Be the first one to suggest relevant scientific fields and help us improve our classification service
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Data not available
Coordinator
1432 Aas
Norway
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.