BAR: Biospheric and Anthropogenic Radioactivity
The research of the BAR group concerns various aspects of man-made radionuclides which may be found in the environment today and in the future.
Our research group focuses on environmental radiology, specifically studying the release of radionuclides from various sources. These sources include nuclear power plants, research laboratories, and accelerator facilities.
Our work includes collaboration on several fronts, working with man-made radionuclides from several sources:
- Nuclear power
- We investigate the radiological impact of nuclear power of today and in connection with the possible expansion of nuclear power.
- The radionuclides 3H and 14C are of particular interest.
- We are part of the interdisciplinary research environment "Radiation Safety and Society: Building Sweden’s Interdisciplinary Capacity for Nuclear Futures"
- European Spallation Source (ESS):
- We investigate radiation levels around the ESS, which is currently under construction in Lund.
- Our goal is to understand the environment before the facility starts, and prepare for future measurements of ESS-specific radionuclides.
- Environmental samples (such as crops, water, and aerosols) are part of our analysis.
- We collaborate with Medical Radiation Physics, Malmö.
- 14C Bomb Pulse Dating:
- We utilize accelerator mass spectrometry (14C-AMS) to study the impact of mid-century nuclear weapons tests.
- The radioactive carbon isotope 14C serves as a tracer, aiding our understanding of disease development.
In summary, our multidisciplinary team contributes to advancing environmental radiology knowledge.
Energy production based on fission is complex, and safety aspects for workers, for the general public and for the environment are crucial, both to fulfil regulatory requirements and for the societal acceptance of the technology. We bring together researchers from four faculties at Lund University (Science, Medicine, Engineering, Social Sciences) as well as expertise in linguistics and discourse analysis from Karlstad University. Thus, we will create a strong, expanding and long-term interdisciplinary research environment, attracting students and training doctoral candidates in various aspects of existing and new nuclear power.
We address three areas of safety and societal aspects, each represented by a work package (WP) with an associated doctoral student (to be hired during 2026):
- one WP on the environmental impacts of existing and new nuclear power;
- another on regulatory and industry understandings on current and suggested future fundaments of radiation protection;
- and a third WP on communication for inclusion and understanding of radiation and nuclear risks.
We will shape a community of knowledge and practice on radiation safety and nuclear energy, developing new teaching activities to strengthen the national ability to meet Sweden’s competence needs related to radiation safety and societal aspects of nuclear power. The recruitment of an assistant university lecturer in applied nuclear physics will ensure generational renewal and continuation and shape a future research leader.
Project leader:
Kristina Eriksson Stenström, Physics
Team members:
Åsa Ek, Ergonomy and Aerosol Technology
Charlotta Nilsson, Physics
Åsa Thelander, Strategic communication
Henrik Rahm, Karlstad University
Christopher Rääf, Medical Radiation Physics
Group members
Group member profiles in the Lund University research database
- Professor Kristina Eriksson Stenström
- Senior lecturer Charlotta Nilsson
- PhD student Belikse Ramljak
- Researcher Guillaume Pédehontaa-Hiaa
(employed at Medical Radiation Physics, Malmö