PATHWAY: a dynamic foodchain model to predict radionuclide ingestion after fallout deposition. Final report, September 17, 1979-December 31, 1985

Technical Report · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6298840

Whicker, F W; Kirchner, T B

This paper describes the structure and basis for parameter values of a computerized foodchain transport model for radionuclides. The model, called ''PATHWAY,'' estimates the time-integrated intake by humans of twenty radionuclides after a single deposition of radioactive material from the atmosphere to the landscape. The model solves a set of differential equations to estimate the inventories and concentrations of radionuclides in three soil layers and numerous types of vegetation, animal tissues and animal products as a function of time following a deposition event. Dynamic processes considered in the model include foliar interception, weathering and absorption; plant growth, uptake, harvest and senescence; soil resuspension, percolation, leaching and tillage; radioactive decay; livestock ingestion, absorption, excretion; and etc. An age- and sex-specific human diet is embodied in the model to permit calculation of time-dependent radionuclide ingestion rates, which are then numerically integrated. 3 figs., 10 tabs.

• Research Organization: Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AS08-79NV10057
• OSTI ID: 6298840
• Report Number(s): DOE/NV/10057-1; ON: DE86006063
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
FALLOUT
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
FOOD CHAINS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RADIOISOTOPES
INGESTION
ANIMALS
MAN
PLANTS
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SOILS
TIME DEPENDENCE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
INTAKE
ISOTOPES
MAMMALS
MASS TRANSFER
PRIMATES
VERTEBRATES
510302* - Environment
Terrestrial- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- Terrestrial Ecosystems & Food Chains- (-1987)