Article

Guidance on monitoring and data assimilation

¹ Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), PO Box 14, 00881 Helsinki, Finland
² Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), Datavej 16, 3460 Birkeroed, Denmark
³ Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA), PO Box 55, 1332 Österås, Norway
⁴ Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK/CEN), 200 Boeretang, 2400 Mol, Belgium
⁵ Bundesamt f¸r Strahlenschutz (BfS), PO Box 10 01 49, 38201 Salzgitter, Germany

Abstract

Decision makers must react in a prompt and appropriate manner in various emergency situations. The bases for decisions are often predictions produced with decision support systems (DSS). Actual radiation measurement data can be used to improve the reliability of the predictions. Data assimilation is an important link between model calculations and measurements and thus decreases the overall uncertainty of the DSS predictions. However, different aspects have to be taken into account for the optimal use of the data assimilation technique: different countries may have differing measurement strategies and systems as well as differing calculation models. The scenario and the amount and composition of radionuclides released may vary. In this paper we analyse the situation during and after an accident and draw up a list of recommendations that can help modellers to take into account the measurements that are best suited for data assimilation.