As part of the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute's (JNC) on-going programme of R&D work relating to the deep geological disposal of HLW, a Reference Biospheres Methodology has been applied to develop a series of Japanese-specific assessment biospheres for use in the H12 assessment. An assessment biosphere specifies the set of assumptions and hypotheses that is necessary to provide a consistent basis for calculations of the radiological impact arising from long-term releases of repository-derived radionuclides into the biosphere. The five-step approach used to develop each assessment biosphere was based on the Reference Biospheres Methodology developed within BIOMOVS II and is consistent with the subsequent enhancements made within BIOMASS. Conceptual models of the migration and accumulation of radionuclides through the biosphere system and subsequent exposure of humans were developed and radionuclide flux to does conversion factors derived.
For more information, please contact Richard Little.