Title: Estimating the spatial-temporal distribution of Radon releases from the K-65 silos

Authors: Khalid Hasan, Lin Liu

Addresses: Tippecanoe County Government, 20 N. 3rd Street, Lafayette, IN 47901, USA. ' Department of Geography, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221–0131, USA

Abstract: This study investigates the spatial and temporal distribution of Radon at the Department of Energy|s (DOE) Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEMP), in southwest Ohio in 1999. It employs the United States Environmental Protection Agency|s (EPA) Industrial Source Complex Short Term 3 (ISCST3) dispersion model, existing monitoring data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as tools to develop an integrated radiological monitoring, assessment and protection technique. This study develops a three-stage hybrid model that takes advantage of both spatial interpolation and dispersion modelling. Specifically the model involves the initial estimation of source emission rates, estimation of Radon concentration at sampling locations, and interpolation of the estimates at discrete locations to generate a continuous surface. Arcview GIS is used to simulate |pollution hotspot| maps and digital surfaces from ISCST3 estimations. Multiple digital, vector pollution contour, raster grid surfaces and hard copy pollution thematic maps can now be generated for FEMP and vicinity.

Keywords: dispersion modelling; GIS; geographical information systems; radon distribution; spatial interpolation; radiological monitoring; radiological assessment; radiological protection; environmental pollution; risk assessment; air pollution; pollutant emissions.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAM.2006.009547

International Journal of Risk Assessment and Management, 2006 Vol.6 No.4/5/6, pp.276 - 297

Published online: 21 Apr 2006 *

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