Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/P015212/1
NEC06110 RED FIRE: Radioactive Environment Damaged by fire: a Forest In REcovery
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor N Beresford, NERC CEH (Up to 30.11.2019), Pollution (Lancaster)
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor GG Shaw, University of Nottingham, Sch of Biosciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr LR Norton, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Soils and Land Use (Lancaster)
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr S Young, University of Nottingham, Div of Agricultural and Environmental Sc
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor NS Entwistle, University of Salford, Sch of Science,Engineering & Environment
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor MD Wood, University of Salford, Sch of Science,Engineering & Environment
- Grant held at:
- NERC CEH (Up to 30.11.2019), Pollution (Lancaster)
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Panel C
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Pollution and Waste
- Science Topics:
- Pollution
- Biodiversity
- Soil biochemistry
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Soil ecosystems
- Soil fauna
- Soil pollution
- Soil contamination
- Soil science
- Soil biodiversity
- Soil chemistry & soil physics
- Bioavailability
- Biomonitoring
- Environmental pollutants
- Environmental risk assessment
- Soil ecotoxicology
- Soil pollution
- Ecotoxicology
- Chemical mobilisation
- Chemical speciation
- Ecotoxicity
- Pollutant pathways
- Pollutant transport
- Soil pollution
- Abstract:
- Following the 1986 accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, an area (4-6 km2) of coniferous forest was killed by high levels of radiation. The affected area became known as the 'Red Forest' as the trees' needles turned red in 1986 prior to their death. The Red Forest subsequently regenerated with deciduous trees, which are less sensitive to radiation than coniferous species, and understorey vegetation. This area currently represents the most anthropogenically contaminated radioactive ecosystem on Earth. From 15-17th July 2016 there was a severe fire in the Red Forest; local contacts report c.80% of the forest was burnt. This fire presents a unique opportunity to study: (i) the effect of fire on radionuclide mobility/bioavailability; and (ii) the impact of radiation on the recovery of forest ecosystems exposed to another stressor (i.e. fire). Contamination in the Red Forest is highly spatially heterogeneous, allowing studies to be conducted across contamination gradients. We are uniquely placed to undertake these studies within RED FIRE as we have samples (and survey results) that we have collected from the Red Forest in 2015 and early in 2016, prior to the fire event. The objectives of RED FIRE are to: 1) Assess the direct impact of fire on radionuclide behaviour by determining change in radionuclide availability before and after the fire, and also any time trend in fractionation, solubility and mobility (down the soil profile) over circa 12 months following the fire 2) Determine if there is any impact of radiation level on the recovery of the forest ecosystem following damage by the fire The RED FIRE team, in collaboration with our Norwegian project partner and Ukrainian sub-contractors, will study a range of radionuclides (Cs-137, Sr-90, Pu-isotopes, Am-241) and 'hot' (fuel) particles within the Red Forest. Our research will include the sampling and surveying of a range of wildlife (soil biological activity, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates). We will also use new unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) technology to study the changing vegetation cover following the fire and to derive a novel high resolution contamination map for the Red Forest area. RED FIRE has highly significant international relevance: (1) There is an increasing need for improved understanding of the effects of radiation on wildlife/ecosystems as countries begin to implement international recommendations that the environment per se should be protected from authorised releases of radioactivity; and (2) Forest ecosystems are not only dominant in Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, but also in the area of Japan affected by the Fukushima accident. Forest fires are a major concern for the Japanese local government dealing with the Fukushima accident aftermath and attempts have been made to assess wildfire risk, for which new knowledge of the impact of fire on radionuclide bioavailability is essential. RED FIRE is highly likely to result in a series of high profile refereed papers and associated on-line datasets. It will also employ a variety of techniques, including a virtual reality experience, to engage the public, industry and regulators with RED FIRE research and to facilitate stakeholder discussion regarding radioactivity in the environment.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/P015212/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grant FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Urgent Grant
This grant award has a total value of £52,394
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DA - Investigators | DI - Staff | DA - Estate Costs | DI - T&S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £17,686 | £10,166 | £8,876 | £9,212 | £5,608 | £846 |
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