1. Overview of the IAEA’s Modelling and Data for Environmental Impact Assessment (MODARIA II) Programme
Plenary Meeting of the Network on  Environmental 
Management and Remediation (ENVIRONET)
Vienna, Austria, 1 November 2018
T.L. Yankovich
Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety

2. At the highest level of the IAEA Safety Standards: The Safety Fundamentals state that:
“The fundamental safety objective is to protect people and the environment from harmful effects of ionizing radiation.”
AND it is necessary to do so over the entire life cycle of nuclear facilities and activities, and practices.

3. Demonstration of Protection through Characterization and Modelling:
In order to demonstrate protection and safety of people and the environment:
Conceptual models need to be developed to qualitatively describe the radionuclide sources and exposure pathways.
Based on these conceptual models, mathematical models (or “quantitative site models”) are needed to quantify radionuclide transport and exposure.
Model outcomes can then be used to identify possible options to address hazards and risk.
These options can then be weighed out, along with the outputs of more qualitative preference models, and can serve as input to decision-makers to identify possible path-forward, taking account of desires and expectations of “interested parties”.
IAEA has established international model validation programs to systematically test international modelling approaches.

4. These programs consist of multiple Working Groups.
MOdelling and DAta for Radiological Impact Assessment (MODARIA I and II): Objectives
Improve capabilities in radiological impact assessment
Test, compare and develop models
Analyse, evaluate and compile data
Assessments in planned, emergency and existing exposure situations
For people
For the environment
Develop harmonized assessment tools
Support to meet regulatory requirements
Provide a forum for exchange of experiences and knowledge
These programs consist of multiple Working Groups.

5. MODARIA I Working Groups (WGs):
Theme 1: Remediation of Contaminated Areas
WG 1 — Remediation strategies and decision aiding techniques
WG 2 — Exposures in urban environments and effect of remedial measures
WG 3 — Radiological impacts from NORM and legacy sites and
remediation
Theme 2: Uncertainties and Variability
WG 4 — Analysis of radio-ecological data
WG 5 — Uncertainty from routine discharges of radionuclides
WG 6 — Environmental modelling for radioactive waste disposal facilities
WG 7 — Models for accidental tritium releases
Theme 3: Exposures and Effects on Biota
WG 8 — Transfer and exposure models for flora and fauna
WG 9 — Effects on populations of wildlife species
Theme 4: Marine Modelling
WG 10 — Dispersion and transfer in the marine environment

6. Objectives of MODARIA I WG1:
Analyze the decision-aiding process based on experience gained from past radiological emergencies and remediation efforts (e.g., post Chernobyl; legacy sites, decommissioning)
Extract lessons learned in terms of social, economic and environmental costs
Review and compare existing decision-aiding models
Prepare case studies for comparison of decision- aiding models
Provide recommendations on how to improve the decision-aiding process for remediation planning.
A key focus was to evaluate multi-criteria decision analysis and preference modelling approaches as decision-aiding tools.

7. Objectives of MODARIA I WG1:
Analyze the decision-aiding process based on experience gained from past radiological emergencies and remediation efforts (e.g., post Chernobyl; legacy sites, decommissioning)
Extract lessons learned in terms of social, economic and environmental costs
Review and compare existing decision-aiding models
Prepare case studies for comparison of decision- aiding models
Provide recommendations on how to improve the decision-aiding process for remediation planning.
Focused on interrelationship between “technical” modelling and “preference” modelling, as inputs to decision-making.
A key focus was to evaluate multi-criteria decision analysis and preference modelling approaches as decision-aiding tools.

8. Objectives of MODARIA I WG3:
To develop scenarios and compare predictions made by Member States using models and modelling approaches to gain further understanding of:
Legacy sites
NORM and uranium facilities
Developing safety cases and conducting safety assessments for facilities
A software tool (“NORMALYSA”) has been developed by WG3 and is being tested.
In addition, training is being provided on application of the NORMALYSA tool.
MODARIA I WG1 and MODARIA I WG3 have been merged to form MODARIA II WG1.

9. Objectives of MODARIA I WG3:
To develop scenarios and compare predictions made by Member States using models and modelling approaches to gain further understanding of:
Legacy sites
NORM and uranium facilities
Developing safety cases and conducting safety assessments for facilities
A software tool (“NORMALYSA”) has been developed by WG3 and is being tested.
In addition, training is being provided on application of the NORMALYSA tool.
Focused on detailed modelling of radionuclide fate and corresponding exposure in complex situations.
MODARIA I WG1 and MODARIA I WG3 have been merged to form MODARIA II WG1.

10. MODARIA II: Working Groups
Working Group 1 - Assessment and Decision Making of Existing Exposure Situations for NORM and Nuclear Legacy Sites
Working Group 2 - Assessment of Exposures and Countermeasures in Urban Environments
Working Group 3 - Assessments and Control of Exposures to the Public and Biota for Planned Releases to the Environment
Working Group 4 - Transfer Processes and Data for Radiological Impact Assessment
Working Group 5 - Exposure and Effects to Biota
Working Group 6 - Biosphere Modelling for Long Term Safety Assessments of High Level Waste Disposal Facilities
Working Group 7 - Assessment of Fate and Transport of Radionuclides Released in the Marine Environment

11. MODARIA II Working Group 1: Member State Participation
WG1 IAEA Scientific Secretary: Tamara Yankovich
WG1 Leader: Ming Zhu (USA)

12. MODARIA II WG1: Work Scope
WG 1: Assessment and Decision Making of Existing Exposure Situations for NORM and Nuclear Legacy Sites
Methods and tools for radiological impact assessments and application to specific situations
Methodologies for decision analyses for remediation and closure of NORM and legacy sites
Communication and engagement with relevant interested parties
Training for end users for the use of the relevant software

13. Sites Selected for Case Studies:
Grote Laak
Winterbeek
Zapadnoe Uranium Tailings Site
Ukraine
Tessenderlo Phosphate Processing Site
Belgium
São Paulo Former Tin Facility
Brazil
Testing of international tools for remediation decision-making.

14. Sites Selected as Examples for Good Practices and Lessons Learned
Material Disposal Area B
Los Alamos National Laboratory
USA
Beaverlodge Mine/Mill Site
Canada
International good practice and lessons learned.

15. Further information on MODARIA II (and earlier programs): YOU can JOIN
Web-link:

16. Collaborations/Leveraging
Within MODARIA II:
WG5: Biota modeling
WG3: Human-biota modeling
WG6: BIOPROTA/BIOMASS-6
Within the IAEA:
ENVIRONET (RICOMET, CIDER, DERES)
ICRP Task Groups 98 and 105
IAEA Le-Trench Project
External:
Performance & Risk Assessment
Community of Practice (P&RA
CoP)
International Conference on
Engineering Materials and
Metallurgy (ICEMM)
Conferences: NRPA 2017,
WM2018, WM2019

17. MODARIA II WG1 Further Information: Thank you for your attention!
(WG1 Chair)
(IAEA Scientific Secretary)
Thank you for your attention!