Review of uncertainty estimates associated with models for assessing the impact of breeder reactor radioactivity releases
The purpose is to summarize estimates based on currently available data of the uncertainty associated with radiological assessment models. The models being examined herein are those recommended previously for use in breeder reactor assessments. Uncertainty estimates are presented for models of atmospheric and hydrologic transport, terrestrial and aquatic food-chain bioaccumulation, and internal and external dosimetry. Both long-term and short-term release conditions are discussed. The uncertainty estimates presented in this report indicate that, for many sites, generic models and representative parameter values may be used to calculate doses from annual average radionuclide releases when these calculated doses are on the order of one-tenth or less of a relevant dose limit. For short-term, accidental releases, especially those from breeder reactors located in sites dominated by complex terrain and/or coastal meteorology, the uncertainty in the dose calculations may be much larger than an order of magnitude. As a result, it may be necessary to incorporate site-specific information into the dose calculation under these circumstances to reduce this uncertainty. However, even using site-specific information, natural variability and the uncertainties in the dose conversion factor will likely result in an overall uncertainty of greater than an order of magnitude for predictions of dose or concentration in environmental media following shortterm releases.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- OSTI ID:
- 5137949
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL-5832; ON: DE82019900; TRN: 82-019214
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
RADIOACTIVE EFFLUENTS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
AIR
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BREEDER REACTORS
DOSIMETRY
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
FOOD CHAINS
MAN
RADIATION ACCIDENTS
RADIATION DOSES
RISK ASSESSMENT
SURFACE WATERS
ACCIDENTS
ANIMALS
DOSES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FLUIDS
GASES
MAMMALS
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
PRIMATES
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
REACTORS
VERTEBRATES
WASTES
500300* - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
510302 - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- Terrestrial Ecosystems & Food Chains- (-1987)
520302 - Environment
Aquatic- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- Aquatic Ecosystems & Food Chains- (-1987)