The Laboratory for Studies and Expertise on Radioactivity in the Environment (LEREN, ex-LERCM) is located in Cadarache (Bouches-du-Rhône, France), . It is directed by Grégory Mathieu.
Context and research themes
LEREN studies the behavior of radionuclides, particularly in the continental environment of metropolitan France and in the Mediterranean marine environment.
Research axes
The laboratory's chief concern is to observe spatio-temporal variations in environmental radioactivity based on the use of:
- the OPERA network (environmental radioactivity monitoring network)
- and studies conducted in nineteen EDF nuclear power plants under an IRSN-EDF agreement.
These observations provide the foundations for a conceptual framework for assessing the radioecological sensitivity of the environment exposed to authorized routine or accident-related radioactive release.
Lastly, LEREN meets the demand for expert surveys from the public authorities, local authorities and citizens' associations.
Specialties and researchers
Grégory Mathieu, head of laboratory
Philippe Calmon, engineer
Thomas Chaudet, technician
Julien Faramond, technician
Marc-André Gonze, project manager
Olivier Masson, research engineer
Jean-Michel Métivier, research manager
Christophe Mourlon, research engineer
Daniel Panaget, engineer
Pascal Paulat, technician
Laurent Pourcelot, research engineer
Sophie Reygrobellet, engineer
Marion Ropert, technician
Lionel Saey, engineer
Gilles Salaun, technician
Laetitia Theureau, technician
Partnership and research networks
The network of environmental radioactivity monitoring observatories (OPERA) was set up to provide a regularly updated spatio-temporal reference indicating the activity levels of the main radionuclides found in the atmosphere, river water, and certain bioindicators and food products collected in France.
The network covers all of France and the surrounding marine environment (Celtic Sea, Bay of Biscay, Channel and Seine estuary, North Sea, and Mediterranean, in particular the Gulf of Lions and the Rhone delta).
