Inter-comparison of dynamic models for radionuclide transfer to marine biota in a Fukushima accident scenario

Vives i Batlle, J.; Beresford, N.A.; Beaugelin-Seiller, K.; Bezhenar, R.; Brown, J.; Cheng, J.-J.; Ćujić, M.; Dragović, S.; Duffa, C.; Fiévet, B.; Hosseini, A.; Jung, K.T.; Kamboj, S.; Keum, D.-K.; Kryshev, A.; LePoire, D.; Maderich, V.; Min, B.-I.; Periáñez, R.; Sazykina, T.; Suh, K.-S.; Yu, C.; Wang, C.; Heling, R.. 2016 Inter-comparison of dynamic models for radionuclide transfer to marine biota in a Fukushima accident scenario. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 153. 31-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.12.006

Full text not available from this repository.

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.12.006

Abstract/Summary

We report an inter-comparison of eight models designed to predict the radiological exposure of radionuclides in marine biota. The models were required to simulate dynamically the uptake and turnover of radionuclides by marine organisms. Model predictions of radionuclide uptake and turnover using kinetic calculations based on biological half-life (TB1/2) and/or more complex metabolic modelling approaches were used to predict activity concentrations and, consequently, dose rates of 90Sr, 131I and 137Cs to fish, crustaceans, macroalgae and molluscs under circumstances where the water concentrations are changing with time. For comparison, the ERICA Tool, a model commonly used in environmental assessment, and which uses equilibrium concentration ratios, was also used. As input to the models we used hydrodynamic forecasts of water and sediment activity concentrations using a simulated scenario reflecting the Fukushima accident releases. Although model variability is important, the intercomparison gives logical results, in that the dynamic models predict consistently a pattern of delayed rise of activity concentration in biota and slow decline instead of the instantaneous equilibrium with the activity concentration in seawater predicted by the ERICA Tool. The differences between ERICA and the dynamic models increase the shorter the TB1/2 becomes; however, there is significant variability between models, underpinned by parameter and methodological differences between them. The need to validate the dynamic models used in this intercomparison has been highlighted, particularly in regards to optimisation of the model biokinetic parameters.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.12.006
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Shore
ISSN:	0265-931X
Additional Keywords:	radioecology, dynamic model, dose rate, Fukushima, marine biota, radionuclide transfer, MODARIA
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	18 Jan 2016 13:05 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/512621

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.12.006

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Shore

ISSN:

0265-931X

Additional Keywords:

radioecology, dynamic model, dose rate, Fukushima, marine biota, radionuclide transfer, MODARIA

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment