Using Atmosphere-Forest Measurements To Examine The Potential For Reduced Downwind Dose
- Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States). Savannah River National Lab. (SRNL)
A 2-D dispersion model was developed to address how airborne plumes interact with the forest at Savannah River Site. Parameters describing turbulence and mixing of the atmosphere within and just above the forest were estimated using measurements of water vapor or carbon dioxide concentration made at the Aiken AmeriFlux tower for a range of stability and seasonal conditions. Stability periods when the greatest amount of mixing of an airborne plume into the forest were found for 1) very unstable environments, when atmospheric turbulence is usually at a maximum, and 2) very stable environments, when the plume concentration at the forest top is at a maximum and small amounts of turbulent mixing can move a substantial portion of the plume into the forest. Plume interactions with the forest during stable periods are of particular importance because these conditions are usually considered the worst-case scenario for downwind effects from a plume. The pattern of plume mixing into the forest was similar during the year except during summer when the amount of plume mixed into the forest was nearly negligible for all but stable periods. If the model results indicating increased deposition into the forest during stable conditions can be confirmed, it would allow for a reduction in the limitations that restrict facility operations while maintaining conservative estimates for downwind effects. Continuing work is planned to confirm these results as well as estimate specific deposition velocity values for use in toolbox models used in regulatory roles.
- Research Organization:
- Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States). Savannah River National Lab. (SRNL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-08SR22470
- OSTI ID:
- 1223201
- Report Number(s):
- SRNL-STI-2015-00541; TRN: US1500434
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
FORESTS
PLUMES
POWER TRANSMISSION TOWERS
CARBON DIOXIDE
WATER VAPOR
MIXING
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
TROPOSPHERE
ABUNDANCE
DEPOSITION
RADIATION DOSES
STABILITY
TURBULENCE
COOLING TOWERS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
OPERATION