When and why are Radioecological Monitoring & Assessments indicated?
Radioecological Assessments are essentially based on monitoring site and surrounding environment of NORM affected projects through field and lab determination of relevant parameters in water/groundwater, soil, plants/animals etc.
Regulatory authorities can require Radioecological Assessments as a precondition for permitting operations and may require those for continuation of operations or even for accepting specific closure plans. Thus, regular monitoring programs accompany the whole life-cycle of NORM affected projects.
I. Pre-operational phase
Radioecological Assessments determine the environmental baseline (natural background) of planned operations and thus provide the basis to detect potential subsequent impacts. As precondition to get operations permitted monitoring should start well in advance.
Moreover, Radioecological Assessments are part of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). If EIA consider possible operational states (normal/accidental) and estimate operational data, they can lead to project specific provisions (e.g. modification of planned operational processes, if indicated) to prevent/minimize potential environmental impacts. Thus, EIA are particular forms of safety assessments.
II. Operational phase
Regular radioecological monitoring verifies compliance with valid regulations and issued specific permits (e.g. limits for certain contaminants). Moreover, complementing operational process control it enables to detect potential failure/leakage, should this occur, and to take adequate countermeasures.
III. Post-operational/closure phase
Monitoring the surrounding within and following closure confirms that no adverse processes take place after operation ceased (like leaching of on-site deposited material etc.).
In case of Remediation of Sites
monitoring is conducted similarly as pre-remediation, remediation accompanying and post-remediation program to minimize liability risks as well as to verify the success of undertaken measures.
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