Evaluation of the environmental sensitivity of Aegean Sea based on radiological box modeling

摘要

A radiological box model of the Aegean Sea has been developed simulating the dispersion and fate of radio-nuclides in the marine environment. The model incorporates all transfer processes within abiotic and biotic compartments in combination with appropriate site-specific information. The model was calibrated using empirical radiological data, with the simulation of Cs-137 dispersion after the Chernobyl. Environmental sensitivity analysis has been carried out based on Chernobyl Cs-137 fallout, in terms of doses to representative marine organisms (fish, crustacean and molluscs) and human population. Comparison of the results with doses from natural sources and sensitivity estimations for shallow marine environments has been performed in order to reveal the vulnerability of each sub-region. The main characteristics and parameters controlling the radio-ecological processes are also discussed.