Work

Catchment-based radiological impact assessment of a postulated severe accident at Akkuyu NPP: a FEP-driven dose assessment for humans and biota in the Göksu river catchment

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Radiological environmental impact assessment study was carried out for the terrestrial agricultural systems (AGS) and non-human biota (NHB) within the Göksu river catchment, proximate to the Akkuyu NPP in Türkiye, which is currently under construction. A severe accident scenario, as envisaged by the construction company, involving an atmospheric release of 3.5 TBq of 137 Cs and 1 TBq of 90 Sr, was considered. interaction matrices and exposure scenarios were meticulously prepared for AGS and NHB by analysing relevant features, events, and processes (FEP)s. Total annual effective doses to adult human receptors in two villages, Bükdeğirmeni and Mucuk, situated approximately 50–60 km from the NPP, were calculated using the RESRAD-Onsite model. Dose rates to terrestrial and freshwater biota within a forest area of the Göksu river catchment were assessed using the ERICA Tool. The calculated total annual doses for adults were approximately 1.0 mSv and 1.1 mSv for Bükdeğirmeni and Mucuk villages, respectively, with external irradiation from ground-deposited 137 Cs being the dominant pathway. For NHB, total absorbed dose rates ranged from 0.67 to 5.36 µ Sv·h −1 for terrestrial organisms and from 3.0 to 8.7 × 10⁴ µ Sv·h −1 for freshwater organisms. While all terrestrial biota dose rates remained below the IAEA screening benchmark (40 µ Sv·h −1 ), most freshwater organisms exceeded the corresponding benchmark (400 µ Sv·h −1 ), indicating potential ecological risks in aquatic environments. The FEP-driven catchment-based approach facilitated a systematic evaluation of potential radiological consequences, underscoring the importance of such assessments for emergency preparedness and environmental management.

Source: Journal of Radiological Protection

DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ae6518

Authors: Abdullah Dirican, Aydın Parmaksız, Mehmet Cem Toker

Institutions: Nuclear Energy Research Institute, Türkiye Enerji Nükleer ve Maden Araştırma Kurumu

Language: English

Topic: Radioactive contamination and transfer

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,325