Assessment Modelling and the Evaluation of Radiological and Chemical Impacts of Uranium on Humans and the Environment

Abstract

Models of varying degrees of complexity are used to simulate the transport of uranium through the environment. These models rely heavily on empirical data on soil and sediment distribution coefficients and concentration ratios or transfer factors for biota. The empirical data relevant to modelling uranium transport in both terrestrial and aquatic environments are reviewed, and consideration is given to how either measured or calculated concentrations of uranium in environmental media can be used to evaluate radiotoxic and chemotoxic impacts on human health and the environment.