Dispersion modelling of radioactive pollutants: application of the 'Demokritos' Transport code system for Complex Terrain (DETRACT) to the Hanford Purex scenario
by Spyros Andronopoulos, Efstratios Davakis, Nikolaos Gounaris, John G. Bartzis, Stavros G. Nychas
International Journal of Environment and Pollution (IJEP), Vol. 25, No. 1/2/3/4, 2005

Abstract: The DETRACT computational system, consisting of a meteorological processor and a Lagrangian particles atmospheric dispersion model, is applied to the 'Hanford Purex Scenario' – an accidental 3 1/2 days of lasting release of radioactive 131I from the stack of the Hanford (USA) Purex Chemical Separations Plant (2–5 September 1963) – for evaluation purposes. During the release, the source intensity and the wind direction varied. The variables used for the model evaluation were daily-averaged and time-integrated concentrations in air, according to the available observations. Graphical and statistical means (factor-of-2, of-5 and of-10) were applied for the evaluation. The obtained results (18%, 45%, and 53% for the daily concentrations and 38%, 63%, and 81% for the time-integrated concentrations, respectively) are discussed in view of the computational system suitability for use in complex situations of accidental atmospheric releases of hazardous contaminants, including radioactive pollutants, and its sensitivity to the spatial density of the meteorological observations.

Online publication date: Wed, 31-Aug-2005

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Environment and Pollution (IJEP):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com