Issue 10: Radionuclide

Radioactive substances (i.e., materials containing radionuclides) have entered and/or are entering the freshwater, marine and coastal environment, directly or indirectly, as a result of a variety of human activities and practices. These activities include production of energy, reprocessing of spent fuel, military operations, nuclear testing, medical applications and other operations associated with the management and disposal of radioactive wastes and the processing of natural materials by industrial processes. Other activities, such as the transport of radioactive material, pose risks of such releases. Radioactive materials can present hazards to human health and to the environment.

Reference:

UNEP Global Plan of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land Based Activities <enter>

GIWA definition

Radionuclide refers to the adverse effects of the release of radioactive contaminants and wastes into the aquatic environment from human activities.

Environmental impacts

1. Proximal and stochastic risks to animal life

Indicators

The following are environmental impact indicators for radionuclide issues.

Select the environmental impact indicators that are relevant from the list below and input data into the appropriate indicator sheets.

Pollution

Proxy indicators of radionuclide pollution