COMET Project archive

The COMET project finished in 2017 the only page which continues to be upadated is the COMET project publication list.

This is your gateway to accessing the outputs of the COMET project. 

The COMET (COordination and iMplementation of a pan-Europe instrumenT for radioecology) project is funded by the EU as part of the 7th Framework programme until 2017; It had, at the time of the COMET launch, 13 consortium  partners from 11 countries. After and external call, FRAME and RATE joined COMET.  COMET now has 20 partners from 15 countries. COMET will develop strong mechanisms for knowledge exchange and dissemination to enhance and maintain European capacity, competence and skills in radioecology. The consortium aims to improve and integrate research on the impact of radiation on man and the human food chain and on environment, particularly the protection of wildlife. They hope to achieve this by identifying, quantifying and evaluating the: 

  • exposure to environmental radioactivity of humans and other organisms 
  • potential biological effects and associated risks to wildlife for a wide range of environmental situations
  • effectiveness of mitigating measures suitable for responding to nuclear accidents and other contaminating events. 

WORK WILL BE CONDUCTED UNDER THE FOUR TOPIC AREAS DESCRIBED BELOW:

1. JOINT PROGRAMMING AND IMPLEMENTATION - EXPANDING THE ALLIANCE

This task will continue the work performed by the STAR NoE and European Radioecology Alliance  (ALLIANCE) to strengthen research on the impact of radiation on man and the environment; it will:

The relationship of the COMET project to other projects and networks.

PROMOTE INTEGRATION:
by enhancing collaboration with network organisations; exploiting large infrastructure and conducting joint research

DEVELOP MECHANISMS FOR JOINT PROGRAMMING:
by creating a five year road map for research, by prioritising research areas presented in the PDF icon STRATEGIC RESEARCH AGENDA for radioecology

STRENGTHEN CAPACITY AND COMPETENCE IN RADIOECOLOGY:
by encouraging organisations to join the European Radioecology Alliance, by co-ordination of training and education platforms and by encouraging national funding bodies to prioritize research identified in the PDF icon STRATEGIC RESEARCH AGENDA

Further details on the work to be conducted

2. IMPROVING AND VALIDATING RADIOECOLOGY MODELS

Tasks conducted in this topic area will strengthen pan-European links between the radioecology and the emergency and post-accident communities. Consortium partners will undertake joint research activities to improve and validate radioecological models in order to better protect humans and the environment following existing, planned and emergency exposure situations. The consortium partners involved will:

The movement of radionucides in the marine environment.
Figure Copyright ©: Mari Komperød-NRPB

IMPROVE RADIOECOLOGY MODELS:
Consider how radioecology modelling of the environment be improved

CONDUCT INNOVATIVE RESEARCH:
Through the initial research activities identified in the PDF icon Detailed plan for the COMET WP3 Initial Research Activity (COMET project deliverable) and following a competitive call for research organised in collaboration with the OPERRA project and the subsequent association of the FRAME and RATE projects within COMET

RESEARCH RESULTS:
Observatory sites will be used to conduct and validate long-term investigations with the aim of improving the understanding of radionucilde behavior and its potential effects

Further details on the work to be conducted

3. CHALLENGES IN CHRONIC LOW DOSE EFFECTS AND RISK ASSESSMENT

The aim of work in this topic area is to improve knowledge on the effects of low doses of radiation, it will achieve this by:

Picture copyright © JM Bonzom-IRSN

IMPLEMENTING INNOVATIVE RESEARCH:
by conducting experiments studying how DNA responds to radiation and the consequences e.g. heritable effects

STRENGTHENING THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY:
by integrating new partners into the European Radioecology Alliance

PROMOTE INTEGRATION:
by sharing research and infrastructure

Further details on the work to be conducted

4. KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE

The overarching objective of this work package is to enhance and maintain European capacity and skills in radioecology by establishing a dynamic interaction promoting effective collaboration between researchers, tool developers, regulators and industry; it will achieve this by:

Picture copyright © CEH
Attendees of workshop on uncertainties in field studies on chronic low level effects due to radiation

PROVIDING INFORMED AND REGULAR UPDATES OF PROJECT DEVELOPMENTS:
Via access to project publications (e.g. deliverables) and through the News blog

DEBATING TOPICAL RADIATION PROTECTION ISSUES:
By facilitating discussion on topical radioecological issues between researchers and by running four focused workshops on On issues which are of current interest/concern to industry and regulators, and public (media) with an emphasis on interaction with the NERISMELODI, EURADOS and potentially IGD-TP platforms

MAINTAINING AND ENHANCING COMPETENCE:
By securing long-term availability of knowledge associated with our Observatory sites

By focusing on the training needs of the user community and the best way interact with other on-going training activities

Conducting field study courses in collaboration with STAR NoE which will be open to PhD students and professionals

Further details on the work to be conducted