Time scales for conservative and non-conservative radionuclide transport in the English Channel
A numerical model that simulates the dispersion of radionuclides in the English Channel has been applied to study the dispersion of conservative and non-conservative radionuclides released from La Hague nuclear fuel reprocessing plant. The model is based upon previous work and now is able to simulat...
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Published in | Radioprotection Vol. 44; no. 5; pp. 11 - 16 |
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Main Authors | , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
EDP Sciences
2009
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | A numerical model that simulates the dispersion of radionuclides in the English Channel has been applied to study the dispersion of conservative and non-conservative radionuclides released from La Hague nuclear fuel reprocessing plant. The model is based upon previous work and now is able to simulate dispersion over long time scales (decades), explicitly including transport by instantaneous tidal currents and variable wind conditions. Wind conditions are obtained from meteorological statistics using a stochastic method. Outputs from the model are treated using time-series analysis techniques. These techniques allow the determination of characteristic times of the system, transport velocities and dispersion factors. This information may be very useful to support the decision-making process after an emergency situation. Thus, we are proposing that time-series analysis can be integrated with numerical modelling for helping decision-making in response to an accident. The model is first validated through its application to actual releases of 99-Tc and 125-Sb, and characteristic times for several radionuclides (a conservative one, 137-Cs and 239,240-Pu) are given next. Characteristic transport velocities and dispersion factors have been calculated as well. |
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Bibliography: | istex:ED0485EA740B3AAF4ED7283C9DCE46A4BC279BED ark:/67375/80W-ZDKCNGWT-W publisher-ID:radiopro44009 PII:S0033845109050091 ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 |
ISBN: | 275980447X 9782759804474 |
ISSN: | 0033-8451 1769-700X 1769-700X 0033-8451 |
DOI: | 10.1051/radiopro/20095009 |