BIOPROTA is an international collaborative forum designed to support resolution of key issues in biosphere aspects of assessments of the long-term impact of contaminant releases associated with radioactive waste management. There are radioecological and other data and information issues that are common to specific assessments required in many countries. Collaboration through projects focused on mutual research needs makes efficient use of skills and resources, and provides a common, transparent and traceable basis for the choices of modelling approaches and parameter values, as well as for the wider interpretation of information used in assessments.

Several collaborative activities concerned with long-term dose assessment for C-14 have been organised through the BIOPROTA forum. These have contributed to greater confidence and reduced uncertainties in assessments made for disposal of radioactive waste containing C-14. A project workshop was held 10-11 April 2019, hosted by IRSN in Aix-en-Provence, France. The objectives of the workshop were to present and discuss research and assessment modelling experience, review progress made, and to identify potential opportunities for building further confidence and/or improvements in biosphere assessments involving C-14. Consideration was given to three sources of C-14 to the biosphere:

• releases to aquatic environments (both freshwater and marine);
• releases to the terrestrial sub-surface (in groundwater or gas); and
• releases to the atmosphere.

The workshop was attended by 19 participants from 10 countries, representing a range of operators, regulators, researchers and technical support organisations. Financial support for the current project was provided by Andra (France), Nagra (Switzerland), Posiva (Finland), SKB (Sweden) and SSM (Sweden). The project technical support team comprised Quintessa, Mike Thorne and Associates Limited, GMS Abingdon Limited and RadEcol Consulting Limited.

For more information regarding BIOPROTA, please contact Russell Walke.