Towards a generalized model for the primary and secondary contamination of lakes by Chernobyl-derived radiocesium

Health Physics
J T SmithP G Appleby

Abstract

As part of the UK Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food Directorate of Fisheries Research (MAFF/DFR) post-Chernobyl monitoring program, a detailed study was carried out of the change over time in dissolved-phase 137Cs concentrations in a number of lakes in Cumbria, UK. These measurements have been combined with published data on 137Cs in Cumbrian and other European lakes in order to develop and test a "double exponential" model for changes in lakewater concentrations: A exp(-k1t) + B exp(-k2t) where the exponential terms correspond, respectively, to the initial fast flush of activity through the system followed by longer-term transfers (timescale, years) from the catchment. Parameter values have been determined for this model by curve-fitting to the set of measurements of post-Chernobyl 137Cs activities in lakes. Values of fitted parameters are shown to be related, in a simple manner, to the physical characteristics of the system, in particular water residence time and mean lake depth. These parameters are generalized to give a simple empirical model for the full set of study lakes. The model is shown to give estimates of 137Cs activity to within a factor of 5 of field data for a period of several years after the fallout. ...Continue Reading

Citations

Mar 31, 2004·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·Lars Håkanson
Mar 13, 1998·The Science of the Total Environment·J T SmithB J Howard
Aug 13, 2002·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·J T SmithO V Voitsekhovitch
Feb 3, 2007·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·N TarasiukE Shliahtich
Jan 18, 2005·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·Luigi MonteGiacomo Angeli
Sep 30, 2006·Journal of Environmental Radioactivity·G PröhlG Zibold
Apr 1, 2005·Applied Radiation and Isotopes : Including Data, Instrumentation and Methods for Use in Agriculture, Industry and Medicine·D N TimmsA I Yankov
May 23, 2000·Nature·J T SmithW C Camplin
Aug 10, 1999·Nature·B JonssonO Ugedal

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.