Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika

The peer-reviewed scientific and technology journal. ISSN: 0204-3327

Impact of the RIAR JSC Activity on the Radiation Doses of Reference Biota Species Prior to the Commissioning of a Multi-Purpose Fast Neutron Reactor

5/18/2026 2026 - #02 Environmental Aspects of Nuclear Power

Panov A.V. Mikailova R.A.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2026.2.15

UDC: 539.163:574.24:57.084.2:614.876:57.087

The study presents an implementation of the eco-centric approach to radiological protection of natural biota in the context of using ionizing radiation sources. An assessment of dose rates to representative organisms was carried out in the area of the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors (RIAR JSC) prior to the commissioning of the Multipurpose Fast Neutron Reactor (MBIR Research Reactor Facility). Radiation doses were calculated for 6 plant and 20 animal species from anthropogenic radionuclides (3H, 54Mn, 60Co, 65Zn, 90Sr, 134Cs, 137Cs, 238Pu, 239Pu) in air, components of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems within the monitoring zone of the radiation-hazardous facility, and in areas of local radioactive contamination within the enterprise’s sanitary protection zone. Dose rate assessments for reference biota species were performed using the ERICA Tool software, recommended by ICRP and IAEA. It was shown that, under a conservative dose rate threshold of 10 µGy/h, the activities of RIAR JSC do not exert adverse effects on the biota of terrestrial (dose rate range for plants and animals: 0.005–0.03 µGy/h) and freshwater (0.0002–0.13 µGy/h) ecosystems within the monitoring zone of the research center. The most exposed organisms in both ecosystems were identified and are recommended for use as “reference species” in ecological monitoring within the observation zone of RIAR JSC. Prior to the modernization of the industrial stormwater drainage system, there was a potential risk of adverse effects from 239Pu (dose contribution: 15–90%) and 137Cs (contribution: 10–85%) on 2 plant species and 6 terrestrial animal species, assuming the 10 µGy/h exposure threshold. Following the commissioning of the upgraded industrial stormwater drainage system, dose loads on living organisms decreased by a factor of 12–14, ensuring conditions of complete radiological safety for biota.

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RIAR JSC MBIR artificial radionuclides terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems biota reference species ERICA dose rate radionuclide ranking radiation safety

Link for citing the article: Panov A.V., Mikailova R.A. Impact of the RIAR JSC Activity on the Radiation Doses of Reference Biota Species Prior to the Commissioning of a Multi-Purpose Fast Neutron Reactor. Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika. 2026, no. 2, pp. 224-237; DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2026.2.15 (in Russian).

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