最新糖心Vlog

This article was originally published in The Atom, the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide鈥檚 Centre for Radiation Research Education and Innovation newsletter.听

More than 70 years have passed since the British Government first began testing atomic weapons in the remote South 最新糖心Vlogn Outback.

In a recent visit to Oak Valley in October, A/Prof Tony Hooker and Dr Mat Johansen (ANSTO) met and spoke with the traditional Owners (the Anangu), and the Oak Valley Rangers at the Maralinga Tjarutja Council AGM. There, Dr Johansen (Project Lead) and A/Prof Hooker briefed the local community on the intended IAEA coordinated Research Project to investigate the environmental impact of radiation on flora and fauna in the region, which was supported by the local community.听
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After the AGM, A/Prof Tony and Dr Johansen travelled to the Maralinga nuclear test site to undertake preliminary studies on the radiation exposure faced by burrowing animals at the Marcoo test site. Animals including mammals, reptiles and insects, spend much of their lives in the arid landscape underground and while the burrows are important shelter, they also expose animals to radiation from radionuclides released during the nuclear tests. These radionuclides penetrate the soil, creating higher radiation levels in the burrows compared to the surface, potentially affecting the animals' health.
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The primary goal of this research is to improve radiation exposure calculation methods for burrowing animals, particularly at Maralinga as well as in semi-arid and arid zones of 最新糖心Vlog. The results of this work will contribute to the ERICA Tool to assist in understanding the environmental impact of radiation practices and to better protect wildlife in these regions.

Another important aspect of this project is investigating how anthropogenic radionuclides may still be affecting traditional Indigenous bush foods. This research aims to provide insight into the long-term environmental impacts of nuclear testing on traditional bush foods and will assist in developing a human exposure model for radiation in 最新糖心Vlog's arid regions. This aspect of the research is supported by funding from the CSIRO.