Analysis of Accumulation Factor of Cesium 137 in Bottom Sediments of Surface Water Bodies

A. L. Krylov, A. V. Nosov, and V. P. Kiselev

The accumulation factor of radionuclides in river and water body bottom sediments K is an integral magnitude and depends on many parameters. With a two-compartment migration model (water–bottom sediments) an analytical relation is established for the conditions of a steady-state process of radioactive transfer for calculating K depending on the known parameters of radionuclide migration in the aquatic environment. With a reference to cesium 137 the calculated factor value is found for silty sediments in rivers and water bodies under characteristic summertime parameters of migration. The numerical analysis showed that the coefficient of radionuclide distribution in the water–suspension system and turbidity influence mostly the K value for cesium 137. For the practical use of this coefficient, a scheme of its correction is suggested depending on turbidity. An example of its practical use for calculating cesium 137 in water is considered. The calculated and measured volumetric activity values are intercompared.

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