10. Additional recommendations

To achieve a comprehensive characterization of environmental problems, many factors have to be taken into account and only by designing a proper assessment program including an interdisciplinary approach a proper interpretation can be provided and contribute to solve a particular problem. At different stages of any environmental assessment large amount of data on the nature, concentration and migration pathways of the investigated contaminants of concern is required.

Performing assessments using in-situ techniques brings the advantages of providing a global, representative investigation of the site in both a time and cost effective manner.

However, full life-cycle monitoring of radiologically impacted sites and facilities and the assessment of their impact on the environment might involve additional sample collection, laboratory and field analyses, and scientific interpretation of large amounts of data for the purposes of assessing different issues.

ENVIRONET was created in 2009 to offer a variety of products and services aimed at facilitating and increasing the exchange of information and experiences amongst its participants. The ultimate goal is to build capacity in the Member States and facilitate the full implementation of remediation projects.

The IAEA has a vision that its Member States will eventually have in place a proper infrastructure and technologies for radiological characterization of the sites in a timely, safe and cost-effective manner. Aligned with this vision the INSITU Working Group within ENVIRONET will produce a variety of products and services aimed at facilitating and increasing the exchange of information and experiences in the specific field of in-situ methods for characterization of sites.

The ultimate goal is to build capacity in the different Member States and to facilitate the full implementation of remediation projects.

Interested specialists are encouraged to sign in to ENVIRONET and its IN-SITU working group via the CONNECT platform.