It will store all available data on marine radioactivity of seawater, sediments and biota. To provide a snap-shot of activities at any time in any location. To investigate changes with time in radionuclide levels. To identify gaps in available information. To meet these objectives and ensure maximum utility of the information contained in the database, the data format has been rigorously prescribed.
Information is stored in such a way as to facilitate data interrogation and analysis.
The database provides critical evidence in the evaluation of the environmental radionuclide levels of the region and in assessment of the radiation doses to marine biota, local, regional and global human populations. Investigation of time trends - given the temporally varying nature of the known sources to the region, the database helps to estimate their contribution to the environmental concentrations and thus increase the sensitivity with which any small residual change or trend may be detected. Inventory calculations - the ability to carry out budget calculation may again permit detection of any imbalances. More than 50 MB of data from 19 seas have already been entered, with initial emphasis on IAEA-MEL's own measurements during over 30 years of operation.