Environmental impact assessment approach in an agricultural ecosystem

The overall aim of the FASSET project is to develop a framework for the assessment of the impact on non-human biota of a radioactive contamination the environment, with a focus on European ecosystems. Here we present the approaches used to assess the radioactive contamination impact in an agricultural ecosystem. Modelling approaches used are: (i) the interaction matrix development for a generic agricultural ecosystem. (ii) From the matrix processes screening analysis the conceptual model for this ecosystem was developed. (iii) Mathematical models developed to calculate activity concentration in vegetation and animals. In addition, reference organisms approach has been used. Representative species for each reference organism have been selected and their physical and ecological characteristics defined from a wide parametric review. Assessment results of concentration in the selected species have been obtained for 34 radionuclides. (author)