APERTRACK: A particle-tracking model to simulate radionuclide transport in the Arabian/Persian Gulf

A Lagrangian rapid-response model for simulating the transport of radionuclides in the Arabian (or Persian) Gulf is described. The model is based on a tide model including five constituents, which was solved in advance, and baroclinic circulation was obtained from HYCOM operational ocean model. The radionuclide model includes physical transport (advection and diffusion), radioactive decay and geochemical processes (interactions of radionuclides between water and sediments, described in a dynamic way). The model can lead with instantaneous or continuous releases. Some hypothetical releases from a coastal nuclear power plant were simulated. Results show that the moment of release affects the fate of radionuclides due to the temporal variability of baroclinic currents. Also, comparing results for releases of Cs and Pu, it was seen how the geochemical behaviour of the radionuclide clearly affects the further radionuclide distributions. It is easy to setup the model for a particular release and it provides a fast response; thus the present model is an appropriate tool to support decision-making after a nuclear accident.

Automated summary

The study describes a Lagrangian rapid-response model for simulating the transport of radionuclides in the Arabian Gulf, using hypothetical releases from a coastal nuclear power plant to show how the moment of release affects the fate of radionuclides, and how the geochemical behavior of the radionuclide affects further distribution.