FATE AND TRANSPORT OF PLUTONIUM IN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS: ASSESSMENT USING THE FORESTPATH MODEL

摘要

This paper illustrates the application of a dynamic model, FORESTPATH [1-2], to evaluate dynamic processes in forest ecosystems resulting from accidental releases or continuous deposition of plutonium. Only a few studies have been made to model the fate and transport of plutonium in natural ecosystems. These studies generally are limited to soil transport and do not address soil-to-plant uptake. The FORESTPATH model uses residence half-times for radionuclides in the several compartments to describe this kinetic process. Experimental measurements of fallout from nuclear weapon tests and from the Chernobyl accident have been used to test the predictions made using the FORESTPATH model.