COMET COordination and iMplementation of a pan- European instrumenT - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

COMET

COordination and iMplementation of a pan- European instrumenT for radioecology Hildegarde Vandenhove SCK•CEN

hvandenh@sckcen.be

COMET objectives

• COMET overall objective: strengthen the pan-European

research initiative in radioecology by:

– Developing innovative mechanisms for joint programming and implementation (JPI) for radioecological research in concert with the mechanisms for JPI developed by OPERRA – Initiating innovative research on key needs jointly identified by the radioecology community and the (post) emergency management (NERIS) and low-dose research communities (MELODI), and strongly engage with collaborators from countries where major nuclear accidents have occurred. – Under an enlarged consortium and facilitated by the flex funds further conduct priority research identified following the joint programming mechanisms developed under COMET. – Develop strong mechanisms for knowledge exchange and dissemination to enhance and maintain European capacity, competence and skills in radioecology.

COMET’s broad relation to other

• rganisational structures

– Will build upon, and compliment, the foundations laid by the European Radioecology Alliance (ALLIANCE) and the

• ngoing FP7 STAR Network of Excellence in radioecology

– Will collaborate with European platforms on nuclear and radiological emergency response and recovery (NERIS) and low dose radiation risk (MELODI) and relevant training networks (e.g. EUTERP) – Will collaborate with OPERRA (Open Project for the European Radiation Research Area)

Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire (France) Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (Norway) Stockholms Universitet (Sweden) Bundesamt fuer Strahlenschutz (Germany) National University Cooperation Fukushima University (Japan) Centro de Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales y Tecnologicas-CIEMAT (Spain) Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (Finland) Natural Environment Research Council (UK) Universitetetet for Miljo of Biovitenskap (Norway) Glowny Instytut Gornictwa (Poland) Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (Belgium) Chernobyl Center for Nuclear Safety Radioactive Waste and Radioecology (Ukraine)

13 partners

WP1

Management

WP2

Pan-European network Mechanisms for joint programming and implementation in Radioecology

WP4

Beyond the state of the art research bridging with MELODI and accident sites

WP5

Enhance and maintain European capacity and skills by knowledge exchange

WP3

Beyond the state of the art research bridging with NERIS and accident sites

Open calls Open calls

OPERRA ALLIANCE MELODI NERIS, … Scientific community, IUR, IAEA, …

Management Board Steering Committee

EC

Repartitioning of budget

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EC – contribution: 3410 kEUR Partners contribution: 1874 kEUR

WP1 – Project Management and Co-ordination

Lead: SCK•CEN

Objectives

• Coordination of project and consortium, applying

best management practices ensuring correct positioning of project & radioecology within the emerging radiation protection platforms

– Task 1.1 Legal, contractual & administrative management – Task 2.1. Financial management and association of Competitive call projects within COMET

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– Task 1.3. Management of the project consortium and bodies

• Executive Committee – WP-leaders
• Management Committee – Representative of each partner =

decision making body

• Steering Committee – External advice

– Task 1.4. Project assessment and adjustment

Management structure

WP2 - Joint programming and implementation – Expanding Alliance

Lead: STUK

WP2: Objective

Overall objective: build upon the foundations laid by the FP7 STAR NoE and the European Radioecological Alliance (ALLIANCE) to strengthen the pan-European research initiative on the impact of radiation on environment and man

• Further develop the strategic research agenda (SRA)

created under STAR/ALLIANCE

• Develop innovative JPI mechanisms of radioecological

research in close collaboration with the ALLIANCE and platforms like NERIS and MELODI. JPI mechanisms should progress to be consistent with mechanisms developed within OPERRA

• Identify and integrate national radioecology programmes to

create a framework for future research activities in close collaboration with the OPERRA and PREPARE projects.

WP2: Tasks

• Task 2.1 Evolving towards a pan-European network

– Scope and role of ALLIANCE strengthened – Participation of new member states will be enhanced – Connections to existing platforms/networks will be improved

• Task 2.2. Developing mechanisms for joint programming

and implementation

• Task 2.3 Infrastructures – evolving from STAR to the

ALLIANCE

– Databases, (access to) infrastructure, Observatory sites

• Task 2.4 Co-ordination with national programmes

– Identify and integrate national radioecology programmes to create a framework for future research activities

• Task 2.5 Co-ordination with training and educational

platforms

VISION

SRA NERIS MELODI

OPERRA, PREPARE, CINCH, EURADOS, …

Radiation Protection Federating Association

E&T networks

COMET

National programmes

Mechanisms for joint programming & implementation RTD Knowledge exchange /E&T

• In collaboration with ALLIANCE, establish a pan-European Centre of

Excellence for Radioecology, with programme of activities supported by the radioecological community

• Strong ties will be created with European stakeholders, the wider

international radiological sciences and ecotoxicology communities.

• Through COMET, the ALLIANCE will be positioned as a strong

component of the Horizon 2020 Radiation Protection Federating Association.

WP3 - Improving and validating radioecological models

Lead: NRPA

WP3: Overall objectives

• Strengthen pan-European links between

radioecology and the emergency and post- accident communities

• Undertake joint research activities to

improve and validate radioecological models of interest to both communities

• Better protection of humans and the

environment in existing, planned and emergency exposure situations

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Research focus in WP3, 1/2

• Quantifying dynamic parameters
• Improving models, dynamic-mechanistic
• Reducing uncertainty by probabilistic methods
• Region specific parameters

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Research focus in WP3, 2/2

• Research of relevance to post-accident

– obtain better parameter values including those associated with human food-chain modeling for the Decision Support Systems (eg. ARGOS and RODOS) – compare the performance and robustness of model predictions for short and medium/long term after an accident between existing modeling tools and the next generation dynamic models.

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Task 3.1 Initial Research Activity (IRA)

• Improved parameterisation of key transfer processes,

with a specific focus on dynamic modelling approaches

• D3.1 Detailed plan for the IRA (Month 5)  duration 2

years

• D3.2 Report summarising the results and advances

(Month 32)

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Task 3.1 Initial Research Activity (IRA)

• 1. Marine modelling – improving predictions of concentrations in and

exposures of marine biota and humans through sophisticated modelling, e.g. trophic transfer modelling and by combining transfer modelling with sediment modelling.

• 2. Forest modelling - reducing the uncertainties in assessments of short

and long term impacts of radioactive contamination in forested areas through model development and parameterization of key processes controlling the transfer of radionuclides.

• 3. Human food chain modelling - improving human food chain

modelling through regional customization of parameter values, using Bayesian methods and studying the long-term dynamics of soil-to-plant transfers for specific soil types and for long-lived radionuclides.

• 4. NORM modelling - acquiring data necessary for the parameterization
• f key processes, and improving existing models or developing

parametric models linking observed accumulation, mobility, and transfer with environmental parameters and processes.

• 5. Particle behaviour - improving our ability to describe the processes of

hot particle transformation in the environment and radionuclide leaching in various media.

• 6. ICRP reference sites - providing the data to derive a taxonomically

based model of radionuclide transfer for wildlife independent of site- specific factors.

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Task 3.2 Identification of the common research needs for the radioecology and the emergency/post-accident communitites

• Critical review of the SRA`s of STAR/ALLIANCE

and NERIS

• Workshop 7 October 2013
• Outcomes to form basis for our proposal for

potential Competitive Call subjects delivered to the Expert Panel for the December 2013 COMET call.

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Task 3.3 Innovative research execution

• Implementation of research projects selected under

the Competitive Call

• Proposals that include research or validation at the

Observatory / Field Sites (Chernobyl, Upper Silesia, Fukushima) will be of particular interest

• D3.3 Midterm report on progress of new research

projects (Month 33)

• D3.4 Results from and validation of new research

projects (Month 47)

Task 3.4 Integration, validation and implementation of RTD results

• Validation of research results and new modelling

approaches on the Observatory / Field Sites

• Intercomparison of existing and new modelling

approaches

• Dissemination/integration workshop (Month 48)

WP4 - Shared challenges in chronic low dose effects and risk assessment

Lead: IRSN

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WP4 objective

• To strengthen pan–European links and implement

research-sharing mechanisms between the radioecology and radiobiology communities studying effects of ionising radiation

– Develop research activities to improve knowledge on a common research line in the field of low dose effects – Initial Research Activity (IRA) focused on epigenetic effects and their possible role in adaptation and transgenerational effects – participate to development of innovative mechanism for joint programming in close collaboration with the ALLIANCE and the MELODI platform with as first step COMET call subjects

WP4 General approach (1/2)

• WP 4.1: IRA focused on a specific topic of common

interest to radioecology and radiobiology: epigenetic changes and their possible effect on adaptation and transgenerational effects

• Why focus on epigenetics? There are strong links between

epigenetic processes and cancer on one hand, and on the

• ther hand, between epigenetic processes and exposure

to environmental stress, transgenerational effects and adaptation in exposed populations/species

• IRA will be developed for a 4 year-period through

laboratory studies and field studies (Chernobyl/Fukushima), using complementary biological models representative

• f

ecosystems (vertebrates, invertebrates, plants)

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• WP 4.2: Prioritization of low-dose effect research

through a further detailed examination of the SRAs from the ALLIANCE and MELODI and announcement

• f a Competitive Call for the selected topics.
• WP 4.3: Implementation of the research activities

selected during the competitive call. In link with WP1

• WP 4.4: Integration of RTD results and feedback on

the joint programming mechanisms implemented in WP3 and WP4, and go further on the preparation of Horizon 2020. Linked with WP5

WP4 General approach (2/2)

WP5: Knowledge exchange

Leader: NERC-CEH http://www.comet-radioecology.org/

Objectives

Help COMET to ensure ‘take-up’ & focus to needs:

• Establishing an interactive website ...... providing

informed and regular updates of developments

• Facilitate discussion of topical radioecological

issues between researchers and users to support radiation protection

• Develop training packages to maintain & enhance

professional competence

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Website

• ‘Initial presence’ established

http://www.comet-radioecology.org/

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• Need to rationalise with STAR (initiated Radioecology

Exchange site) and co-ordinate with the Radioecology Alliance (www.radioecology-exchange.org)

Towards the COMET call

Supported by the ALLIANCE, STAR produced the first draft Strategic Research Agenda in Radioecology

The SRA consists of 3 Challenges and 15 associated research lines

Main challenges of STAR-SRA

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• Challenge 1: Predict Human and Wildlife Exposure

More Robustly by Quantifying the Key Processes that Most Influence Radionuclide Transfers

• Challenge 2: Determine Ecological Consequences

under Realistic Exposure Conditions

• Challenge 3: To Improve Human and Environmental

Protection by Integrating Radioecology

• As presented in the COMET Description of

Work, priority research topics for the Call would be identified under COMET WP3 and WP4 through consideration of the Strategic Research Agenda's (SRA) from the Radioecology Alliance, NERIS and MELODI.

• 2 calls subjects, each ~300 kEUR; one linking

radioecology research priorities with NERIS, the

• ther with MELODI

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COMET Call cfr DoW

The way we worked in brief

• STAR prepared a first version of a short-term and topically

focused roadmap in support of COMET needs related to D2.1

• COMET developed in collaboration with COMET Steering

Committee and NERIS/MELODI representatives D2.1: ”Towards a first phase Alliance RTD roadmap and implementation plan as input for the preparation of the competitive call organised in collaboration with OPERRA”

• Scoping: limited to topics that catalyse interactions between

radioecology and « emergency/post-accidental situations » research platform –NERIS- and « low dose risk » research

• ne – MELODI (Hence does not cover radioecology as a whole)
• First phase roadmap is linked to SRA Challenge 1 and 2 in our
• pinion more directly linked to NERIS & MELODI fields and

potential call subjects were identified hereunder.

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Challenge 1: Topics of mutual interest between Radioecology Alliance & NERIS

• Challenge 1: Predict Human and Wildlife Exposure in a Robust

Way by Quantifying Key Processes that Influence Radionuclide Transfers and Exposure.

• NERIS intends to improve existing DSS through incorporating

improved source terms as well as radioecological modelling or by customising existing or improved environmental models into the regional circumstances of Europe in collaboration with the Radioecology Alliance

• Other areas of joint interest are:

– comparison of the performance and robustness of model predictions for short, medium and long term after an accident between existing modelling tools and the next generation of dynamic models

• Three potential call subjects identified through consultation

– marine radioecological modelling – terrestrial/freshwater foodchain modelling – urban radioecological hydrology modelling.

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Challenge 2- Priorities in common with MELODI SRA

• Challenge 2: Determine Ecological Consequences under

Realistic Exposure Conditions

• MELODI Priority linked to our SRA Challenge 2

– elucidation of mechanisms of radiation-induced (oxidative) stress responses and their impact on radiation-induced cancers and non- cancer diseases; with focus on improved dosimetry to achieve a lower uncertainty in dose-effect relationships

• Common features between MELODI SRA & our SRA:

– exposure conditions of interest: low dose (rate), chronic exposure, multi-contaminants, multiple routes of exposure, … – adverse consequences on health: mode and cascades of actions, radiosensitivity, biomarkers, transgenerational effects, …

• Two potential call subjects identified through consultation

– Biomarkers of exposure and effects – Understanding mechanisms driving inter- and intraspecies radiosensitivity, identifying biomarkers of radiosensitivity

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COMET final call subjects (1/2)

• 1. Marine modelling – improving predictions of

concentrations in, and exposures of, marine biota and humans through state of the art modelling, e.g. trophic transfer modelling and by combining transfer modelling with sediment modelling, with the aim of improving the estimates

• f concentrations in biota, the external and internal exposure

assessment of biota, and the internal dose assessment to humans due to consumption of seafood.

• 2. Human food chain modelling - improving human food

chain modelling through regional customization of parameter values, including Bayesian methods and studying the long- term dynamics of soil-to-plant transfers for specific soil types and for long-lived radionuclides, with the aim of reducing the uncertainties in predicted contamination levels and doses from food ingestion.

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COMET final call subjects (2/2)

• 3. Particle behaviour - improving the ability to quantify the

processes of particle transformation in the environment and radionuclide leaching in various media, with the aim of accurately predicting exposure to humans and wildlife by incorporating a more profound understanding of environmental processes

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COMET final call subjects (3/3)

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• 600 kEUR for entire COMET-call
• 200-400 kEUR per project
• Minimal 2 partners (if COMET partner, minimal 3 partners)
• Current COMET partners, maximally 20 % of budget
• For integration purposes, 1-2 mm per new partner + travel

money

– Annual meetings (includes assistance to Management Committee 0.25 mm – WP1, coordination) – Interaction meetings (WP3 – RTD) – Workshops, dissemination workshop, contribute to conferences (WP2,3,5) – WP2 – contribute to databases (data, models, infrastructure), integration with COMET and ALLIANCE

• Request PIC

COMET final call subjects (3/3)

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• Call subjects rather linked with NERIS, no call subjects

linked with MELODI

• Call subjects cfr WP3 IRA (last for 2 years), but please write

proposal as complementary as possible to WP3 IRA STAR - MARINE RADIOECOLOGY RESEARCH

• This call for research proposals is aimed at addressing

current issues on any human or environmental aspect of marine radioecology following the 2011 Great Earth Quake and Tsunami.

• The proposal must show the importance and relevance of

the proposed research to human or environmental aspects of marine radioecology following the 2011 Great East-Japan Earth Quake and Tsunami.

• https://wiki.ceh.ac.uk/display/star/The+Radioecology+Exchange

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Photo by Jean-Marc Bonzom, IRSN

Thank you for your attention !

Additional slides

5 Work packages

COMET, Steering Committee and Roadmap Meeting, 7 October 2013, Brussels

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