Particle data management—turning data into accessible information

Abstract

The UKAEA has assigned significant resources to the monitoring and retrieval ofparticles from the vicinity of its site at Dounreay in the north of Scotland. Themonitoring, retrieval and analytical processes each generate information that isrequired for interpretative and record purposes. As significant resources are madeavailable for studying and retrieving particles, the information collected must bemanaged in a logical, stable and accessible manner to protect the investment ininformation. If suitable data management procedures are not in place there is a high riskof data loss and duplication, and stakeholders may be unable to discover whatinformation is already available or be unable to access the existing information.UKAEA Dounreay operates a geographic information system (GIS) that interfaces with adata management system known as IMAGES. These systems are used to securely store andaccess a wide range of environmental data including those relating to particles. A casestudy is presented illustrating the processes and systems involved with the collection,storage, analysis and distribution of particle data. The advantages gained through use ofthe GIS system are considered in relation to alternative types of record managementsystem such as paper, and electronic non-spatial systems. It is considered that theGIS system offers very significant benefits in terms of standardisation of datacapture, security of storage and increased accessibility of data compared with othersystems.