A comparison of model predictions and observations of the transfer of /sup 137/Cs through the air-pasture-cow-milk pathway

Conference · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5482150

Ng, Y C; Hoffman, F O

Environmental measurements reported for selected locations in the United States and Europe following the Chernobyl accident were compared with model predictions of the transfer of /sup 137/Cs through the air-pasture-cow-milk pathway. The models evaluated include IAEA Safety Series No. 57, AIRDOS/EPA, NRC Regulatory Guides 1.109 and 1.111, the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) screening model, and the PATHWAY dynamic food-chain model. Time integrals of the /sup 137/Cs concentrations in air, pasture, and milk were estimated, and the predicted and observed grass/air, milk/air, and milk/grass concentration ratios were compared. Model predictions of the transfer of /sup 137/Cs from air to pasture and from pasture to milk tended to exceed observations. Those of PATHWAY were an exception; PATHWAY consistently underpredicted the grass/air and milk/air concentration ratios due to the use of parameter values specific for the deposition of large particles and their interception and retention by vegetation. Some of the models were flexible enough to permit parameter adjustment. In these cases, parameter values could be adjusted to the specific conditions determined for a location, which substantially reduced the discrepancy between predictions and observations. 22 refs., 8 tabs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA); Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5482150
• Report Number(s): UCRL-96664; CONF-8710169-2; ON: DE88005675
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
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ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES
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BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
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CHERNOBYLSK-4 REACTOR
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONTAMINATION
COWS
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
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ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
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FLUIDS
FOOD
FOOD CHAINS
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GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
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MILK
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NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
PLANTS
POWER REACTORS
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
REACTORS
RUMINANTS
THERMAL REACTORS
USA
VERTEBRATES
WATER COOLED REACTORS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES