Session outline
 
Biogeosciences(B)
Session Sub Category Biogeosciences & Geosphere-Biosphere Interactions(BG)
Session ID B-BG02
Title Fate and transport of radionuclides in atmospheric, marine, aquatic, and pedospheric environments
Short title Fate and transport of radionuclides
Convener Name Keiko Tagami
Affiliation National Institute of Radiological Sciences
Co-convener Name Edward R. Landa
Affiliation Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland
USA
International Symposium 'International Symposium' in addition to Scientific session.
Language English
Scope Environmental radioactivity studies had their historical roots in the geosciences community, with early studies of uranium and thorium series radionuclides in oil field brines and of uptake of such radionuclides by duckweed carried out by pioneering biogeochemist V.I. Vernadsky, and of the radioactivity of mineral waters at Yellowstone National Park by the US Geological Survey. Today the scope of studies has grown to include release of radionuclides from accidents such as the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, predictive modeling of radionuclide releases from nuclear waste repositories, and interactions of radionuclides with components of the biosphere. Naturally occurring radioactivity, technologically enhanced naturally occurring materials from both nuclear fuel cycle activities (e.g., uranium mill tailings) and non-fuel cycle activities (e.g., oil field pipe scale), and anthropogenic sources of radioactivity will all be addressed in this session. The fate and transport of radionuclides in the atmosphere, in oceans, estuaries and rivers, in groundwater systems, and in soil-plant systems will be included. Studies addressing energy production activities (e. g., hydraulic fracturing for oil & gas recovery and in-situ uranium mining), and innovative remedial actions strategies are of particular interest. As rare earth elements (REE) display environmental behaviors similar to actinide elements, the session will also address the environmental fate and transport of REE; given the extensive work underway on this topic in China, we hope to attract such investigators to attend and exchange ideas.
Type of presentation Oral and Poster presentation
Invited papers