The Influence of Hot Particle Contamination on Models for Radiation Exposures Via the Aquatic Pathway

Abstract

Most models for transfers of radionuclides through the food chain assume that the radioactivity is initially deposited in chemically available forms. However, it is known that releases of radionuclides in the form of hot particles may significantly influence their environmental transfers and uptake to the food chain. This study presents models for radionuclide activity concent- rations in water and uptake to fish which incorporate hot particle contamination using observed rates of hot particle dissolution in terrestrial and aquatic systems following the Chernobyl accident . As expected from previous work, fallout of hot particles significantly influences radionuclide activity concentrations in drinking water and aquatic foodstuffs. The remaining significant uncertainties in dose estimates are discussed, particularly those concerning the role of direct ingestion of hot particles.