Model analysis of worst place scenarios for nuclear accidents in the northern marine environment

• Published in: Environmental modelling & software : with environment data news Vol. 77; pp. 13 - 18
• Main Authors: Kauker, F., Kaminski, T., Karcher, M., Dowdall, M., Brown, J., Hosseini, A., Strand, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Accident; Adjoint model; Computer programs; Dispersion; Fisheries; Impact analysis; Information dissemination; Lofoten; Marine environments; Nuclear transport; Radioactive contamination; Radioactive materials; Seas; Sensitivity analysis; ANE, Norwegian Sea; Radioactive contamination; Adjoint model; Lofoten; Accident; Dispersion; Nuclear transport
• ISSN: 1364-8152; 1873-6726
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2015.11.021

The North and Nordic Seas contains some of the world's most important fishery resources and is an area of significant traffic involving nuclear powered vessels and transports of nuclear and radioactive materials. Consumer awareness to even rumors of radioactive contamination imparts a special vulnerability to this region. The effective assignation of emergency resources, design of monitoring programs and provision of information regarding accidents relies upon an a-priori analysis of potential impacts. To this end, an adjoint sensitivity analysis regarding potential impacts on the most important regional fishery was conducted with a view towards development of a system capable of providing information regarding potential contaminant dispersal from any point within the North and Nordic Seas. Results indicate that the area is potentially vulnerable to releases of radioactive materials over a much wider area than has previously considered. •An adjoint sensitivity analysis of the northern marine area was conducted.•Potential impacts on the most important regional fishery were assessed.•The fishery is vulnerable to releases of contaminants over a much wider area than previously considered.