RESRAD-BIOTA Release 1.2

Effective March 31, 2006, a new version of the RESRAD-BIOTA code (Version 1.2) is now available for general use as a companion tool for implementing DOE's Graded Approach to Evaluating Radiation Doses to Aquatic and Terrestrial Biota (DOE Technical Standard DOE-STD-1153-2002). The code serves as DOE's "next generation" biota dose evaluation tool, and duplicates the screening (i.e., BCGs) and analysis methods contained in the Technical Standard, also providing many new and advanced features. The code was sponsored by DOE's Office of Environment, Safety and Health, and the Office of Environmental Management, with support from the EPA and NRC.

New features and analysis capabilities offered by RESRAD-BIOTA include: improved graphics and reports; improved help files; addition of 22 new BCGs for a total of 45 BCGs / radionuclides in the database; ability to evaluate ecological impacts from a nuclear incident such as a terrorist Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD); ability to use organism tissue concentration data and output predicted tissue concentration data; and ability to input and analyze multiple food sources to a receptor for considering food web relationships in realistic situations.

A RESRAD-BIOTA Fact Sheet prepared by the Office of Environment, Safety and Health provides a complete overview of RESRAD-BIOTA capabilities and applications, along with contacts for more information.

A Note to DOE Personnel and Contractors

Biota dose evaluations to demonstrate protection with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) requirements and biota dose rate guidelines shall be conducted using the DOE Technical Standard, A Graded Approach for Evaluating Radiation Doses to Aquatic and Terrestrial Biota (DOE-STD-1153-2002). RESRAD-BIOTA Version 1.2 is approved for use as a companion software tool for implementing the DOE graded approach to biota dose evaluation standard methodology.

RESRAD-BIOTA User's Guide

Documentation on the operation of the RESRAD-BIOTA code is provided in: "RESRAD-BIOTA: A Tool for Implementing a Graded Approach to Biota Dose Evaluation. User's Guide, Version 1" (DOE Report No. DOE/EH-0676; ISCORS Technical Report 2004-02).

The code and User's Guide serve as companion tools to the DOE Technical Standard for evaluating doses to biota. To download a copy of the DOE Technical Standard, click here. General comments on these materials can be provided via the "Feedback" link at the top of this Web page. Detailed comments should be directed to Stephen Domotor.