Radioecology: Nuclear Energy and the Environment.

TLDR

Radioecology integrates physical and biological sciences to investigate the movement of radioactive materials and their effects on populations and ecological organization, surveying sources, types, amounts, and ecological impacts of radionuclides. The book details quantitative transport models, radionuclide kinetics in ecosystem compartments, and associated environmental transport processes, supplemented by appendices of key data and literature. The authors provide an excellent, comprehensive survey that establishes these volumes as a long‑term standard reference for radioecology.

Abstract

Radioecology is the field of study in which elements of physical and biological sciences are combined to pursue knowledge of radioactivity in the environment, including movement of radioactive materials and the effects of ionizing radiation on populations and on ecological organization. Volume I contains chapters on ecological principles, radiological principles, environmental radioactivity and radionuclide behavior in ecosystems. Chapter Four on environmental radioactivity characterizes sources, types, and amounts of material and man-made radioactive materials and radiation in the environment. Concepts of radionuclide behavior in ecosystems and behavior (movements and concentrations) of several important element groups in selected ecosystems are surveyed. A chapter on methods used for quantitative predictions of radionuclide transport in the environment gives a reasonably complete treatment to environmental transport processes, radionuclide kinetics in ecosystem compartments, and the use of transport models. Two chapters summarize the known effects of ionizing radiation on species, populations, and higher levels of ecological organization. This information is put into perspective in terms of risk and other consequences. Both volumes are well referenced. Appendices contain listings of major proceedings and books, reviews of specific radionuclides in the environment, and physical data used to characterize radionuclides. The authors succeed in presenting an excellent survey ofmore » a broad field of study, and these volumes should serve as a standard reference work on radioecology for a long while.« less