The potential impact of a deep geologic repository for used nuclear fuel on non-human biota

Abstract

This study presents and implements a screening methodology for assessing the potential postclosure radiological impact of a deep geological repository (DGR) for used nuclear fuel on non-human biota. This screening methodology is designed for hypothetical sites representative of selected Canadian conditions under both present and potential future climate conditions. The screening is carried out by comparing estimated radionuclide concentrations to derived “No Effect Concentrations” (NECs). The NECs are screening or threshold criteria; the conservative nature of the assumptions used to derive the NECs ensures that as long as the NECs are not exceeded, there is confidence that, despite uncertainty in modelled environmental concentrations, there will be no significant ecological effect on non-human biota. In the event NECs are exceeded in screening calculations, a site-specific Ecological Risk Assessment would be required to determine whether this is due to conservatism in the assumptions, lack of sufficient data or potential real impact. The NECs derived in this study were compared to other threshold criteria from U.S. and international literature.