Accuracy of some simple models for predicting particulate interception and retention in agricultural systems
The accuracy of three radionuclide transfer models for predicting the interception and retention of airborne particles by agricultural crops was tested using Pu-bearing aerosols released to the atmosphere from nuclear fuel facilities on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Plant, near Aiken, SC. The models evaluated were: (1) NRC, the model defined in U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Guide 1.109; (2) FOOD, a model similar to the NRC model that also predicts concentrations in grains; and (3) AGNS, a model developed from the NRC model for the southeastern United States. Plutonium concentrations in vegetation and grain were predicted from measured deposition rates and compared to concentrations observed in the field. Crops included wheat, soybeans, corn and cabbage. Although predictions of the three models differed by less than a factor of 4, they showed different abilities to predict concentrations observed in the field. The NRC and FOOD models consistently underpredicted the observed Pu concentrations for vegetation. The AGNS model was a more accurate predictor of Pu concentrations for vegetation. Both the FOOD and AGNS models accurately predicted the Pu concentrations for grains.
- Research Organization:
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken, SC (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6157971
- Journal Information:
- Health Phys.; (United States), Vol. 56:4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Atmospheric deposition, resuspension, and root uptake of Pu in corn and other grain-producing agroecosystems near a nuclear fuel facility
Interception and retention of technetium by vegetation and soil
Related Subjects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CROPS
CONTAMINATION
PLUTONIUM
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIOACTIVE AEROSOLS
DEPOSITION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
ACCURACY
AIR POLLUTION
BRASSICA
FORECASTING
RETENTION
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
SOYBEANS
UPTAKE
WHEAT
ACTINIDES
AEROSOLS
CEREALS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FOOD
GRASS
LILIOPSIDA
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
MAGNOLIOPSIDA
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
PLANTS
POLLUTION
SOLS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VEGETABLES
500300* - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
560162 - Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology- Animals
Plants
Microorganisms
& Cells