Hamad Bin Khalifa University and the Cyprus Institute hold a symposium to discuss a joint research project

The Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, in cooperation with the Cyprus Institute, held a symposium to exchange the results of a three-year joint research project. The project simulates the dispersion of radionuclides in the atmosphere resulting from possible accidents of nuclear power plants in the Middle East, where many nuclear facilities are currently being established, or those that are in operation, or are being planned to be established in locations with special geological, seismic and climatic conditions. Scientists from the Natural and Environmental Hazards Observatory of the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, and the Climate and Atmospheric Research Center of the Cyprus Institute, reviewed the results of this research cooperation, as the processes for modeling and predicting health and environmental impacts in the State of Qatar were developed by simulating nuclear accidents. The project, which is a pioneering research work in Qatar and the Gulf region, also contributed to the preparation of prior recommendations to be adhered to when any risks related to potential accidents occur at nuclear power plants, as well as the development of new standards for risk management and rapid response to deal with such accidents at the national strategic level. As part of the project, a measurement and evaluation of the risks of atmospheric deposition and exposure of the population to radioactivity was carried out following hypothetical accidents at nuclear power plants, as detailed simulations showed that in the event of a nuclear accident in nearby countries, the radioactive iodine gas nuclides that spread may affect In the atmosphere over the region, more than 90 percent of dry and wet deposits of radionuclides resulting from cesium can be expected to spread within 4 days, and like anywhere else in the world, the relative risk is higher during the period when the weather is cold, as these rates reach two times . Representatives of the government and academic sectors in the country participated in the symposium, in order to learn about the research project and discuss its various applications on industrial chemical accidents. research based on the results of this project. In turn, Dr. Huda Al-Sulaiti, Senior Research Director of the Natural and Environmental Hazards Observatory at QEERI, explained that the symposium focused on demonstrating how to use the developed modeling tools to support national emergency plans and decision-makers in the event of emergency preparedness, speed of response and recovery in the event of a nuclear accident or accident. Any industrial accident, God forbid, noting that the attendees also discussed the important next steps for these plans, and made the necessary recommendations on how to strengthen their early warning systems. Commenting on the symposium, Dr. Marc Vermeersch, Executive Director of QEERI, said: "It is good to share the results of this technical and scientific cooperation between the team of experts at the Observatory of Natural and Environmental Hazards, the Cyprus Institute, which is a world-renowned institution in this specialized field, and stakeholders and experts in the government and public sectors, and we at QEERI look forward to building on this research in the future With our partners in the State of Qatar, to help develop a methodology for assessing environmental risks and vulnerabilities in the Middle East". The Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute was established in 2011. It anticipates and addresses the major challenges facing Qatar and the world, by conducting research based on market needs, as well as performing national advisory and educational tasks. The institute also actively works to promote common goals by supporting partnerships and cooperation with High-level local and international partners, building expertise and research capabilities in the State of Qatar.