Modelling of a large-scale urban contamination situation and remediation alternatives

K. M. Thiessen*, A. Arkhipov, B. Batandjieva, T. W. Charnock, S. Gaschak, V. Golikov, W. T. Hwang, J. Tomás, B. Zlobenko

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The Urban Remediation Working Group of the International Atomic Energy Agency's EMRAS (Environmental Modelling for Radiation Safety) program was organized to address issues of remediation assessment modelling for urban areas contaminated with dispersed radionuclides. The present paper describes the first of two modelling exercises, which was based on Chernobyl fallout data in the town of Pripyat, Ukraine. Modelling endpoints for the exercise included radionuclide concentrations and external dose rates at specified locations, contributions to the dose rates from individual surfaces and radionuclides, and annual and cumulative external doses to specified reference individuals. Model predictions were performed for a "no action" situation (with no remedial measures) and for selected countermeasures. The exercise provided a valuable opportunity to compare modelling approaches and parameter values, as well as to compare the predicted effectiveness of various countermeasures with respect to short-term and long-term reduction of predicted doses to people.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)413-421
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Environmental Radioactivity
Volume100
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2009

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to acknowledge the contribution of all participants in the Urban Remediation Working Group. The activities of the Working Group and preparation of this manuscript have been supported in part by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (under CDC Contract #200-2006-15969, Task Order #2 and ORAU Requisition Nos. 5-17126 and 5-18266 under DOE Prime Contract DE-AC-05-06OR23100) and by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Keywords

  • Chernobyl
  • Countermeasures
  • Modelling
  • Radioactivity
  • Remediation
  • Urban contamination

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Modelling of a large-scale urban contamination situation and remediation alternatives'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this