Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T08:05:09.501Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Time scales for conservative and non-conservative radionuclide transport in the English Channel

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2009

J. Barescut ,
R. Periáñez  and
C. Miró
R. Periáñez
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Physics 1, EUITA, Universidad de Sevilla, Ctra Utrera km 1, 41013-Sevilla, Spain
C. Miró
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Physics, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda de la Universidad s/n, 10071-Cáceres, Spain
Get access

Abstract

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.

Type
Research Article
Information
Radioprotection , Volume 44 , Issue 5: ECORAD 2008 - Radioecology and Environmental Radioactivity , 2009 , pp. 11 - 16
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Boust, D., Colin, C., Leclerc, G. and Baron, Y. Radioprot Col 32 (1997), 123-128.
Delhez, E.J. and Deleersnijder, E. J Mar Syst 31 (2002), 279-297.
Guegueniat P., Bailly du Bois P., Gandon R., Salomon J.C., Baron Y. and Leon R., Estuar Coastal Shelf Sci 39 (1994), 59-74.
Salomon J.C., Breton M. and Guegueniat P. J Mar Syst 6 (1995), 515-527.
Braunschweig, F., Martins, F., Chambel, P. and Neves, R. Ocean Dynamics 53 (2003), 137-145.
Holzer, M. and Hall, T.M. J Atmos Sci 57 (2000), 3539-3558.
Hewit, C.N. Methods of Environmental Data Analysis. Elsevier, London, 1992,
Periáñez, R. and Reguera, J. J Environ Radioact 43 (1999), 51-64.
Periáñez, R. J Environ Radioact 49 (2000), 259-277.
Periáñez, R. Estuar Coastal Shelf Sci 56 (2003), 5-14.
Periáñez, R. Modelling the Dispersion of Radionuclides in the Marine Environment. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 2005.