The Centre for Environmental Radioactivity (CERAD) studies the harmful effects of radiation on organisms and the ecosystem as a whole, to improve the protection of people and environment.
CERAD's fundamental research into sources of radiation, transfer in ecosystems and biological responses provides new insights into the environmental impacts of low radiation (alone and in combination with other environmental stressors). In particular, the centre has developed tools and methods to address key uncertainties in risk assessment. A more accurate assessment of the risks from environmental radioactivity will greatly assist their management and mitigation.
Our research encompasses man-made as well as naturally-occurring radionuclides, released in the past or the present. New insights will help to prevent and predict effects of future releases from the nuclear fuel cycle .
CERAD's Strategic Research Agenda
The Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) forms the basis for priority setting, organisation and management of personnel, experiments, and equipment within CERAD and was updated in 2017. The SRA defines four research areas (RA):
RA1 SOURCE terms and release scenarios:
We aim to characterize radionuclides released from different sources, under different release scenarios. This will allow modelling of radionuclide dispersal in air/water and further transfer in the environment.
RA2 Dynamic Ecosystem TRANSFER:
We aim to specify how speciation, co-contaminants, climate conditions and biological factors influence radionuclide transfer through ecosystems in a Nordic context. This will allow for improved modelling of radionuclide movements.
We aim to identify the responses induced in biota exposed to medium - low radiation doses, in combination with other stressors such as UV radiation, metals and antioxidant deficiency, under varying climatic conditions.
RA4 RISK assessments and ecosystem approach:
We aim to evaluate and improve the assessment of environmental and societal impact and risk from radiation exposure, and to develop evidence-based decision criteria for handling radiation emergencies.
Photo above: PhD candidate Emil Jarosz preparing water fractionation samples from Solbergstrand fish experiment.