Abstract
Identification of atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) radionuclide dispersion conditions, which are characterized by ABL dispersion parameters, plays an important role in evaluating the radiation safety of nuclear power plants (NPPs) and establishing engineering protection thereof. Therefore, the ABL status monitoring observations are launched at the stage of in-situ NPP construction. When analyzing and predicting radiation situation in the NPP vicinity areas, it is of great importance to determine the parameters of atmospheric dispersion variability with time. The ABL status monitoring at the Belorussian NPP site has been carried out since September 2014 by means of acoustic and radio-acoustic sounding of the ABL. The present study is aimed at assessing interannual and intra-annual variability of atmospheric dispersion parameters in the Belorussian NPP siting area on the basis of the monitoring data. The relative interannual stability of the main average annual atmospheric dispersion characteristics (vertical temperature gradient, wind speed and direction) over the observation period has been revealed. At the same time, the average seasonal values of the dispersion parameters are characterized by significant fluctuations thereof during the annual course. The prospects of the ABL status monitoring for other potentially hazardous industrial facilities, such as thermal power plants and chemical plants, are also noted.
Highlights
Atmospheric dispersion is a combination of pollutants transport in the atmosphere by directed air flow and turbulent diffusion, and its comprehensive study is of great importance for environmental applications
The main atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) parameters that determine the atmospheric dispersion conditions include a vertical gradient of air temperature, atmospheric stability classes, modulus and direction of the wind vector
Such temperature gradients characterize a high degree of atmospheric turbulence that is favorable to the dispersion of radionuclides
Summary
Atmospheric dispersion is a combination of pollutants transport in the atmosphere by directed air flow and turbulent diffusion, and its comprehensive study is of great importance for environmental applications. The dispersion parameters of the atmospheric boundary layer (the lower atmospheric layer, extending to heights of about 1 km) determine the conditions of the radionuclide dispersion and are important in assessing the radiation safety and developing engineering protection of NPPs [1]. In this regard, the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) status monitoring is provided at the key stages of the NPP life cycle (during construction, operation and decommissioning thereof). The climatic regime of atmospheric dispersion in the Belarusian NPP siting area was studied earlier in the framework of engineering surveys using radiosonde observations [6]
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