Near-field radioactive particle dynamics and empirical fallout patterns in Chernobyl’s Western and Northern Plumes

Title: Near-field radioactive particle dynamics and empirical fallout patterns in Chernobyl’s Western and Northern Plumes

Author: Chesser, Ronald K. / Rodgers, Brenda E.

Reference: Atmospheric Environment, 42 (20), p.5124-5139, Jun 2008

doi: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2008.02.042

Keywords: Nuclear fuel; Chernobyl; Plume; Particles; Radiation; Settling

Abstract: We compared geographically referenced ground-based measurements of gamma and beta radiation to model predictions of particle dispersion and estimate the influences of particle sizes, wind speeds, and vertical and lateral turbulence on the near-field (40 μm in diameter. These large particulates eliminate passive dispersion of oxidized nuclear fuel and aerosol releases of volatile elements as the primary sources of contamination in the Northern Plume at distances

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231008001362