Evaluation of the environmental risk associated with the radiological atmospheric discharges from the Belgian Nuclear power plants

SCK•CEN was asked to perform an environmental impact and risk assessment resulting from the atmospheric radioactive discharges from the Belgian Nuclear Power Plants (NPP). In this report we briefly present the steps taken for the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) approach. The case studies – the Tihange and Doel NPP - are presented and for both sites information is provided on the source term (discharge limits, actual releases) and the fauna and flora where upon the selection of reference organisms is based. Environmental media concentrations for the discharge limits and the actual discharges, air concentrations (spatial maximum of the maximal and average air concentrations at ground level and at the stack) and deposit rates were assessed by Camps et al. (2010). Additional related environmental media concentrations were calculated (concentration in soil, river water and sediments). Equations and associated parameter values for the radionuclide ecosystem transfers and dosimetric calculations are also provided. All this information provides the basis for the deterministic risk assessment for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the vicinity of the Doel and Tihange NPP.