An international group of researchers led by the University of Bristol have won support from the Cabot Institute Innovation Fund to improve our knowledge and understanding of the global radiological hazard associated with the 1986 nuclear accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Scientists and Engineers from Bristol have developed and deployed a range of advanced sensor systems into the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) to better inform citizens, the CEZ management and also Governments as to the present and evolving nature of the radioactive contamination – on the ground and airborne.
This project will develop a cloud-based ‘portal’ through which the all users and interested parties can process, interpret and visualise data gathered from multiple distributed platforms in the area.
Not only will this provide a powerful tool to those managing and monitoring the zone, but also to:
- Inform scientists examining the global environmental hazard presented by the highly mobile contamination
- Inform those responsible for managing the radiological safety of those living in, working inside and visiting the zone
- Serve as an educational tool on radioactivity and nuclear power.
Speaking about the award, Dr Peter Martin, Principal Investigator on this project, said:
“Despite the ongoing media attention that the 1986 incident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant attracts, there is still a significant need to increase knowledge and understanding of the complex radiological hazard associated with the heavily contaminated Chernobyl Exclusion Zone – especially in light of the increasingly frequent wildfire events that remobilise significant contamination.
This funding will allow our international team to work with the Exclusion Zone authorities and other international organisations to develop the foundation of a comprehensive monitoring system”
Cabot Institute Innovation Fund award
The researchers have been awarded £3250 for the project Re-evaluating Chernobyl: improving our knowledge and understanding of the global radiological hazard associated with the world’s worst nuclear accident through an enhanced monitoring provision.
The full list of investigators is:
- Dr Peter Martin University of Bristol) - Principal Investigator
- Professor Tom Scott (University of Bristol)
- Sarah Millington (Met Office)
- Professor Neil Willey (UWE Bristol)
- David Corbitt (Joint Support Office of the European Commission [Ukraine])
- Horst Monken-Fernandes (International Atomic Energy Agency)
- Sergiy Kireev (State Specialized Enterprise (SSE) EcoCentre)
- Lucy Antysz (Amazon Web Services)
Cabot Institute
The Cabot Institute at the University of Bristol carries out fundamental and responsive research on risks and uncertainty in a changing environment.
One of its six core theme is Low Carbon Energy, under which the South West Nuclear Hub sits.
Their aim is to engage wider society by listening to, exploring with, and challenging their stakeholders to develop a shared response to 21st Century challenges.