Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Legacy sites in Belgium K. Mannaerts, S. Pepijn FANC - AFCN D. Jacques, H. Vandenhove Institute Environment, Health and Safety – Belgian Nuclear Energy Centre

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Legacy Sites in Belgium

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Umicore Olen Former radium extraction plant – dismantled but its environment still show signs of the former activities, in particular large volumes of radioactive waste. The current situation is characterized by the presence of : two authorized installations for temporary storage: the UMTRAP- installation and the 'Bankloop'-installation; dumping site, D1; for which a decision to remediate has been taken; dumping site, S1 or 'Bruine Berg‘; no decision to remediate so far taken; sites with dispersed radioactive contamination UMTRAP: ~ 55,000 m³ of unconditioned low-level or intermediate- level and long-lived waste, amongst which various radium sources and residues. ‘Bankloop'-installation: ~30,000 m³ of unconditioned (very) low- level and long-lived waste from remediation of Bankloop sediments and borders contaminated by former releases to river Both installations still responsibility of Umicore but will be committed to NIRAS.

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Umicore Olen

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Umicore Olen (2) Dumping site D1: ~ 10 ha, 130,000 m³ mixed (radium-bearing and chemical) waste. Method for carrying out remediation still to be determined. The waste generated by the remediation will bear the label of radioactive waste; therefore NIRAS will be responsible for the long-term management of this waste. Dumping site S1: ~200,000 m³ mixed waste Contamination from the Bankloop sediments and from remediation of the site Presence of radium confirmed FANC to determine whether remediation of this site is necessary. Dispersed radioactive contamination: estimated at 50,000 to 150,000 m³ Questioned whether the contaminated sites have to be remediated. If FANC decides so, NIRAS will be responsible for managing waste generated  NIRAS intends to develop a plan in coming years dedicated to long-term management of radium-bearing waste. This plan, that will cover the management of all radium-bearing waste present on Belgian territory, will be subject to an environmental impact assessment.

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN ER in Belgium – Setting the scene small country (30500 km²), densely populated (11 millions inhabitants ~333 inh/km²) federal structure (federal government  all nuclear matters/issues: FANC) 3 regions (Flanders, Brussels, Wallonia: regional governments  environmental matters/issues)

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN ER in Belgium – Setting the scene Like in many other countries mainly chemically contaminated sites but some have also radioactive component Extensive (regional) regulation and methodology for chemical contaminated sites (Flanders) is existing But what about sites with mixed (chemical and radioactive) or only radioactive contamination?

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Intervention levels Next to regulation and methodology, the Agency has also elaborated guidances on the intervention levels and the content of the investigation files. –‘intervention levels’ dose < 0.3 mSv: never intervention 0.3 < dose < 1 mSv: intervention rarely justified 1 < dose < 3 mSv: intervention generally justified dose > 3 mSv: intervention always justified –Content is specific for each step in the phased proces

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Stakeholders Intervention/ remediation Responsible/ polluter Federal authorities FANC/AFCN Public Regional authorities Federal authorities NIRAS/ONDRAF Engineering companies

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Regulation and Methodology Mixed contamination

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Assessment methodology basics pluridisciplinary tasks hydrogeology seismics calculation codes geophysics radiation protection geochemistry regulation phenomenology RN chemicals characterisation … Intervention/ remediation sampling

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Phase I – Risk Evaluation identificationIdentification of suspected area(s) and responsible Define content OI Draw-up/submit OI evaluate OI notification orientating investigation OI Draw-up/submit DI Define content DI evaluate DI descriptive investigation DI Designated responsible FANC NIRAS/ ONDRAF Regional Authorities

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Phase II – Option Evaluation RP criteria Evaluate radiological part (OP + LT) Evaluate non- radiological part Draw-up/submit Options appraisal (with all interested stakeholders) Draw-up/submit evaluate CUP/ RMP Development of CUP or RMP Designated responsible FANC NIRAS/ ONDRAF Regional Authorities Intervention/ remedial options Guidance WMobjectives VLLW: disposal capacity and concentration licensing procedures Technical & financial feasibility Waste compatibility LT-funding modalities 13

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Phase III - Implementation Execute RMP/CUP Implementation RMP/CUP Verification report aftercare Designated responsible FANC NIRAS/ ONDRAF Regional Authorities Application for disposal licensing (if required) Follow-up Radiological disposal Non-rad aspects Final evaluation Radiological disposal Non-rad aspects Aftercare reporting Follow-up aftercare Licensing procedures

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Conclusions Approach for dealing with radioactively or mixed contaminated sites is available, comparable to the approach for chemically polluted sites Methodology exists as decision aiding tool Decision making will always be influenced by a set of non-technical issues All aspects have to be considered long time in advance for implementing a feasible, consistent, long-lasting and sustainable solution

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Impact Assessment Near Field -> Geosphere -> Biosphere aquifer Boom Clay aquifer radioactive waste ?

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Impact Assessment Near Field -> Geosphere -> Biosphere

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Impact Assessment Near Field -> Geosphere -> Biosphere pH U Sorbed U

Copyright © 2013 SCKCEN Copyright © SCK  CEN PLEASE NOTE! This presentation contains data, information and formats for dedicated use ONLY and may not be copied, distributed or cited without the explicit permission of the SCKCEN. If this has been obtained, please reference it as a “personal communication. By courtesy of SCKCEN”. SCKCEN Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie Centre d'Etude de l'Energie Nucléaire Belgian Nuclear Research Centre Stichting van Openbaar Nut Fondation d'Utilité Publique Foundation of Public Utility Registered Office: Avenue Herrmann-Debrouxlaan 40 – BE-1160 BRUSSELS Operational Office: Boeretang 200 – BE-2400 MOL