A new comparison of marine dispersion model performances for Fukushima Dai-ichi releases in the frame of IAEA MODARIA program. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Periáñez, Raúl; Brovchenko, Igor; Duffa, Celine; Jung, Kyung-Tae; Kobayashi, Takuya; Lamego, Fernando; Maderich, Vladimir; Min, Byung-Il; Nies, Hartmut; Osvath, Iolanda; Psaltaki, Maria; Suh, Kyung-Suk
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental radioactivity. Volume 150(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 247
• Page End: 269
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Fukushima Dai-ichi -- Marine dispersion -- Hydrodynamics -- Sediments -- Caesium-137; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radiation, Background -- Periodicals; Radioecology -- Periodicals; Radioactive pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactive Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radioécologie -- Périodiques; Pollution radioactive -- Périodiques; Fond de rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.752
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.09.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-931X

Abstract

Abstract: A detailed intercomparison of marine dispersion models applied to the releases from Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant was carried out in the frame of MODARIA program, of the IAEA. Models were compared in such a way that the reasons of the discrepancies between them can be assessed (i.e., if they are due to the hydrodynamic part, the dispersion part, and the ultimate reasons). A sequential chain of dispersion exercises was carried out with this purpose. The overall idea is to harmonize models, making them run with the same forcing in a step-by-step procedure, in such a way that the main agent in producing discrepancy between models can be found. It was found that the main reason of discrepancies between models is due to the description of the hydrodynamics. However, once this has been suppressed, some variability between model outputs remains due to intrinsic differences between models (as numerical schemes). The numerical experiments were carried out for a perfectly conservative radionuclide and for 137 Cs (including water/sediment interactions). Model outputs for this radionuclide were also compared with measurements in water and sediments. Highlights: Step-by-step procedure to assess the reasons of discrepancies between models in blind model tests. Models also compared with 137Cs measurements in water and sediments. Source terms for direct releases/leakages in the Pacific and atmospheric deposition reconstructed. Main reason of model discrepancies is due to circulation description in highly dynamic waters. Further research required in models designed to support decision making after emergencies.