Article

Overview of WP4: extension of atmospheric dispersion and consequence modelling in Decision Support Systems

NCSRD – National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Institute of Nuclear and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Energy and Safety, 15310 Aghia Paraskevi, Greece

Abstract

The activities that have been carried out within the frame of Working Package 4 of PREPARE project, entitled “Extension of atmospheric dispersion and consequence modelling in Decision Support Systems (DSSs)” can be grouped under the following themes: (1) Source term (quantity and time variation of release rate of radionuclides from a nuclear accident) estimation based on optimal combination of atmospheric dispersion modelling with measurements through simple and more advanced computational methods integrated within operational DSSs. (2) Implementation of physicochemical properties of radionuclides emitted as particulate matter in computational modules of DSSs that simulate their environmental transport from deposition to mobility in soil and estimate the resulting radiation doses. (3) Extension/update of existing DSSs in the area of atmospheric dispersion on the basis of recent experiences, technological advances and users' requirements. In conclusion, the new features that have been developed regarding atmospheric dispersion and consequence modelling in the frame of PREPARE project, have substantially increased the capabilities of operational DSSs, and have also revealed directions for future research and development.