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1988 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

Validation of Dynamic Foodchain Models — Results of an Experimental Programme

Author : S Nair

Published in: Reliability of Radioactive Transfer Models

Publisher: Springer Netherlands

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This paper summarises the current status of a programme of work involving the production of appropriate dynamic foodchain models and the acquisition of time-dependent data to validate and improve these. The models are used to derive equilibrium transfer factors for the assessment of ingestion doses from routine atmospheric releases and to derive time-dependent transfer factors for use in similar assessments for discrete releases arising both from normal operation and from hypothetical accidental atmospheric releases.The structure of two new dynamic foodchain models recently developed by CEGB to study the uptake of S-35 and C-14 by crops is described. These models are additional to the generic model for studying actinide and fission product transport in foodchains that has been published elsewhereThe use of dynamic models to derive equilibrium transfer factors requires validation against experiment of the time-dependent model predictions. This is also needed before the models can be used for discrete release studies. Thus details are provided of two further experiments, as follows: (i)a study aimed at measuring crop interception factors, and(ii)a study of the dynamics of radionuclide transport in soils and in plants using a system of lysimeters.Both the above studies utilise contracted experimental facilities and expertise in the Department of Pure and Applied Biology and the Reactor Centre at Imperial College. CEGB input has been in defining the objectives, in participating in the planning of the experiments and in the subsequent data analysis, particularly with regard to the implications for foodchain models.Finally, details will be provided of the objectives of a project, jointly funded by CEGB and the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), which will study the uptake by lamb of a selection of radionuclides relevant to both routine and accidental releases. Details will also be provided of the objectives of a joint project with Studsvik aimed at studying the behaviour of Chernobyl deposition in soils.

Metadata
Title
Validation of Dynamic Foodchain Models — Results of an Experimental Programme
Author
S Nair
Copyright Year
1988
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1369-1_18