Radioactivity monitoring of the Turkish Black Sea coast as a part of the Iaea model project "Marine Environmental Assessment of the Black Sea Region" and nuclear techniques for the environmental management of water resources in Turkey

Environmental pollution and risk assessment studies became one of the major areas of interest for scientific communities as well as decision makers in the both, industrialized and developing countries at the beginning of the new millennium. The use of nuclear and isotopic techniques for pollution investigation has been gaining more importance during the recent years. In particular, environmental pollution monitoring and the protection of water resources are vital in terms of public health and economical consequences for the countries involved. The Turkish Atomic Energy Authority recognizes the importance of scientific, economic and political issues related to the national and transboundary water pollution issues therefore fully supports the national and regional research, cooperation activities related to the environmental management. Pollution Investigation of the Kucukcekmece Lake was the first multidisciplinary project which provided a capacity and expert teams for environmental management (1994-1998). A wide scope Regional Technical Co-operation Project RER/2/003 "Marine Environmental Assessment of the Black Sea Region" is implemented by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the period 1995-2001. This project was initiated in response to the needs of participating Member States - the six Black Sea coastal countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russian Federation, Georgia and Turkey) to establish capabilities for reliably assessing radionuclides in the Black Sea environment and applying tracer, techniques to marine pollution studies The project has various important aspects: Scientifically; one of the major environmental issue radioactivity pollution is addressed. Technically; laboratory capability for transuranic analysis is being developed. Economically; the reversing the ecological deterioration and developing sustainable uses of the Black Sea and its natural resources is one of the major interests. Politically; responsibility of pollution control and rehabilitation plans of six Black Sea countries are addressed through various convention and declarations. Socio-economically, fisheries and tourism sectors are expected to benefit. Highlights from the joint radioactivity monitoring program of the project among six Black Sea countries are outlined. Examples from the Turkish monitoring work consist of the routine sampling of sea water; algae, mussels, fish samples and beach sand from the selected stations along the Black Sea coast are presented for illustration. Insights gained from the application of nuclear techniques for the "Pollution Investigation of the Kucukcekmece Lake" and the "Marine Environmental Assessment of the Black Sea Region" Model Technical Cooperation Projects carried out at the Cekmece Nuclear Research Center supported by the IAEA are presented. Concluding remarks include the vital importance of protection of the water resources within the EURASIAN countries and the need for strong cooperation among the nuclear research centers.