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Challenging the current strategy of radiological protection of the environment: arguments for an ecosystem approach
- Source :
- Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Elsevier, 2009, 100 (12), pp.1125-1134. ⟨10.1016/j.jenvrad.2009.06.022⟩
- Publication Year :
- 2009
- Publisher :
- HAL CCSD, 2009.
-
Abstract
- The system of radiological protection of the environment that is currently under development is one contribution to the general need to adequately protect the environment against stress. Dominated by operational goals, it emphasizes conceptual and methodological approaches that are readily accessible today: reference organisms supported by individual-based traditional ecotoxicological data. Whilst there are immediate advantages to this approach (pragmatism, consistency with other approaches in use for man and biota), there are also clear limitations, especially in a longer run perspective, that need to be acknowledged and further considered. One can mention a few: uncertainties generated by the need for various extrapolations (from lower to higher levels of biological organisation, ...), various features missed such as potential ecological impact through impairment of ecosystem processes, trans-generational impacts as mediated through genomic instability, indirect effects mediated through trophic interactions or disruption of ecological balances,... Such limitations have already been faced in other fields of environmental protection against other stressors, pushing a number of environment professionals to assign stronger emphasis on more systemic approaches. This review discusses the advantages and limitations of the current approach designed for the radiological protection of non-human biota in the broader context of environment protection as a whole, with especial reference to upcoming trends and evolutions. This leads in particular to advocating the need to boost scientific and methodological approaches featuring the ecosystem concept as a mean to access a unified goal of protection: preserving life sustainability through protection of ecosystem structure and functioning. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Subjects :
- ecosystem structure
Computer science
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
International Cooperation
[SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]
ecological impact
010501 environmental sciences
Ecotoxicology
01 natural sciences
Environmental protection
030218 nuclear medicine & medical imaging
Underdevelopment
0302 clinical medicine
Sustainable development
Waste Management and Disposal
Ecosystem approach
Radiological protection
ecotoxicity
Environmental resource management
environmental planning
Approximation theory
article
General Medicine
Plants
Pollution
ecosystem restoration
environmental stress
Risk analysis (engineering)
Radiological weapon
radioactivity
Radiology
Biological organisation
Environmental Monitoring
Risk analysis
Conservation of Natural Resources
Context (language use)
Environment
environmental impact
Risk Assessment
Ecosystems
03 medical and health sciences
Consistency (negotiation)
Radiation Protection
Radiation Monitoring
Environmental Chemistry
Animals
Ecosystem
radioisotope
environmental sustainability
Ecological risk assessment
Radiation Injuries
0105 earth and related environmental sciences
business.industry
15. Life on land
genomic instability
Environment protection
Risk management
13. Climate action
Sustainability
organism community
business
Environmental Pollution
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0265931X and 18791700
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Elsevier, 2009, 100 (12), pp.1125-1134. ⟨10.1016/j.jenvrad.2009.06.022⟩
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....e291d3dc88388542054de90a37e4af9b