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Practical radioecology support in the management and regulatory supervision of legacy sites

Legacy sites are a global issue. Experience has shown that every legacy site is different and case-specific management and remediation options have to be considered. Each site presents a unique mix of physical, chemical and radiological hazards and the significance of those hazards is likely to change over time. A life-cycle approach to remediation is therefore appropriate, with priority consideration allocated according to the major hazards, as technically determined by reference to policy on protection objectives and the corresponding regulatory requirements. Additionally, consideration will typically need to be given to wider issues as may be raised by stakeholders. The remediation approach also needs to take account of the waste management options on-site or involving off-site management and disposal. Radiological and wider environmental impact assessments are a crucial part of the holistic evaluation of hazards and risks (along with economic and societal impacts), which in turn underpin project planning, regulatory and wider decision making. This paper examines the role of radioecology in the assessment process, its contribution to reduction of scientific uncertainties in modelling ecosystem processes of release, transport and fate of radionuclides and evaluation of potential ensuing impacts on humans and the environment. Relevant examples are presented to illustrate the complexities of the processes in regulatory decision making, the various conditions that significantly affect the final solutions and how radioecology can be used in these situations. Whilst a case-specific approach will usually need to be taken to legacy sites, future remediation and clean-up work can be helpfully informed through sharing of experience from other sites. Continued international collaboration between all parties involved in legacy site management is therefore needed to inform on the development of practical regulatory guidance and to ensure that radioecological research is focussed on addressing the key issues that give rise to uncertainties that challenge regulatory and wider decision making.