Numerical simulation of the transport of radioactive cloud from the Chernobyl nuclear accident

ABSTRACT We present a first application of a hemispheric transport model to quantitatively evaluate the spreading of radioactive debris following the Chernobyl nuclear accident. The model employed in the simulation is essentially a simplified version of the Eulerian Long Range Transport of Air Pollutants (LRTAP) model designed for continental scale applications. Meteorological data driving the model were obtained from the standard Canadian Meteorological Centre (CMC) analysis. Simulations were performed for Iodine‐131, Cesium‐137 and Xenon‐133. The accident scenario was estimated using data presented at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts meeting in Vienna, in August 1986. Results of the model simulation for Iodine‐131 and Cesium‐137 were verified against measurements for Stockholm, Resolute, Halifax and Vancouver and indicate a relatively high level of agreement considering the simplicity of the approach.