The Hazard Analysis of Plutonium Aerosol Resuspension in Typical Dated Nuclear-Polluted Regions

Abstract:

The plutonium material within the nuclear devices would be aerosolized, released from the source-term and deposited in the soil after nuclear tests or accidents. Due to the natural and artificial disturbances the plutonium aerosols deposited in the soil would resuspend into the air. The hazard analysis of plutonium aerosol resuspension in typical dated nuclear-polluted regions is significative for radiation assessment and post-accident depuration in contaminated regions. The analysis shows that the soil eroding is the intrinsic factor of plutonium aerosol resuspension. The airborne contaminated concentration in non-nuclear source-term is much higher than nuclear source-term. The soil cleanup would lead to short-term rise of the airborne concentration. From the estimation of the equivalent dose, it is clear that the radiation hazards of the resuspended particulates in typical dated nuclear-polluted regions are extremely limited. After soil cleanup the annual effective doses of the contaminated regions are far below the radiation protection standards.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 414)
• Pages: 16-21
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.414.16
• Online since: December 2011
• Authors: Wen Jie Liu, Ba Yi Hu, Qing Zhong Li
• Keywords: Nuclear Accident, Nuclear Test, Plutonium Aerosol, Radiation Hazard, Resuspension

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