Radiocaesium removal from European lakes and reservoirs: key processes determined from 16 Chernobyl-contaminated lakes

• Title: Radiocaesium removal from European lakes and reservoirs: key processes determined from 16 Chernobyl-contaminated lakes

Author: Smith, J.T. / Comans, R.N.J. / Elder, D.G.

Reference: Water Research, 33 (18), p.3762-3774, Dec 1999               

doi: 10.1016/S0043-1354(99)00087-1

Keywords: Chernobyl; radiocaesium; lake; distribution coefficient

Abstract: A study based on information from the scientific literature was carried out to identify the key processes which determine the initial radiocaesium activity concentration and its rate of removal in 16 different European lakes after the Chernobyl accident. Analysis and modelling of these data showed that a simple model, incorporating only dilution, lake flushing and settling of suspended particles, can explain 97% of the variation in initial activity concentrations in lakewater and 79% of the variation in ¹³⁷Cs removal rates.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043135499000871