Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents: What has changed in the use of atmospheric dispersion modeling?

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

Volumn 126, Issue , 2013, Pages 239-252

  Benamrane, Y ^a   Wybo, J L ^b   Armand, P ^a  

^a DIF   (France)

^b PSL RESEARCH UNIVERSITY   (France)

Author keywords

Atmospheric dispersion modeling; Decision support system; Emergency management; Nuclear accident

Indexed keywords

ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION MODELING; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT; FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS; NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS; ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERN; SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS; SEVERE NUCLEAR ACCIDENT; TECHNOLOGICAL EVOLUTION;

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE; ATMOSPHERIC MOVEMENTS; BIOLOGY; DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS; EMERGENCY SERVICES; HAZARDOUS MATERIALS; INDUSTRIAL PLANTS; NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS; RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS; RISK MANAGEMENT; TOOLS;

NUCLEAR REACTOR ACCIDENTS;

ATMOSPHERIC MODELING; ATMOSPHERIC PLUME; BIOTERRORISM; CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT; CRISIS MANAGEMENT; DAMAGE; DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM; DISPERSION; EXPLOSIVE; HAZARDOUS WASTE; NUCLEAR POWER PLANT; RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION; STAKEHOLDER; TOXIC MATERIAL;

ARTICLE; ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION; CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT; DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM; EMERGENCY HEALTH SERVICE; ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY; FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR ACCIDENT; HUMAN; NUCLEAR SAFETY; PLUME DISPERSION; RADIATION HAZARD; RADIATION PROTECTION;

CHERNOBYL; FUKUSHIMA; HONSHU; JAPAN; KIEV [UKRAINE]; TOHOKU; UKRAINE;

ATMOSPHERIC DISPERSION MODELING; DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT; NUCLEAR ACCIDENT;

CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR ACCIDENT; FUKUSHIMA NUCLEAR ACCIDENT; MODELS, THEORETICAL; RADIATION MONITORING;

EID: 84884561836     PISSN: 0265931X     EISSN: 18791700     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.07.009     Document Type: Article

References (70)

1. Achim P., Monfort M., Le Petit G., Gross P., Douysset G., Taffary T., Blanchard X., Moulin C. Analysis of radionuclide releases from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident part II. Pure Appl. Geophys. 2012, Published online in September 20th, 2012. 10.1007/s 00024-012-0578-1.
2. Alhajraf S., Al-Awadhi L., Al-Fadala S., Al-Khubaizi A., Khan A.R., Baby S. Real-time response system for the prediction of the atmospheric transport of hazardous materials. J.Loss Prev. Process Ind. 2005, 18:520-525.
3. Allwine K.J., Flaherty J.E. Urban Dispersion Program MSG05 Field Study: Summary of Tracer and Meteorological Measurements 2006, PNNL-15969, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA.
4. Allwine K.J., Flaherty J.E. Urban Dispersion Program Overview and MID05 Field Study Summary 2007, PNNL-16696, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA.
5. ApSimon H.M., Wilson J.J.N. Modelling atmospheric dispersal of the Chernobyl release across Europe. J.Bound.-Layer Meteor. 1987, 41:123-133.
6. ApSimon H.M., Goddard A.J.H., Wrigley J. Long-range atmospheric dispersion of radioisotopes - part I. The Mesos model. Part II. Application of the MESOS model. J.Atmos. Environ. 1983, 19(1):99-125.
7. ApSimon H.M., Macdonald H.F., Wilson J.J.N. An initial assessment of the Chernobyl-4 reactor accident release source. J.Soc. Radiol. Prot. 1986, 6(3):109-118.
8. Lessons Learned from the Accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Technical Analysis Subcommittee 2011, 20. Atomic Energy Society of Japan, Committee for Investigation of Nuclear Safety.
9. Bennett N.D., Croke B.F.W., Guariso G., Guillaume J.H.A., Hamilton S.H., Jakeman A.J., Marsili-Libelli S., Newhama L.T.H., Norton J.P., Perrin C., Pierce S.A., Robson B., Seppelt R., Voinov A.A., Fath B.D., Andreassian V. Characterising performance of environmental models. J.Environ. Modell. Softw. 2013, 50:1-20.
10. Bonte F.J. Chernobyl retrospective. Semin. Nucl. Med. 1988, 18(1):16-24.
11. Bradley M.M. NARAC: an emergency response resource for predicting the atmospheric dispersion and assessing the consequences of airborne radionuclides. J.Environ. Radioact. 2007, 96:116-121.
12. Brandt J., Christensen J.H., Frohn L.M., Zlatev Z. Numerical modelling of transport, dispersion, and deposition - validation against ETEX-1, ETEX-2 and Chernobyl. Environ. Modell. Softw. 2000, 15(6-7):521-531. Special Issue: SI.
13. Cheng Y.-H., Shih C., Chiang S.-C., Weng T.-L. Introducing PCTRAN as an evaluation tool for nuclear power plant emergency responses. Ann. Nucl. Energy 2012, 40:122-129.
14. Chino M., Ishikawa H., Yamazawa H. SPEEDI and WSPEEDI: Japanese emergency response systems to predict radiological impacts in local and worldwide areas due to a nuclear accident. Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 1993, 50(2-4):145-152.
15. 137Cs accidentally discharged from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the atmosphere. J.Nucl. Sci. Technol. 2012, 48(7):1129-1134.
16. Chino, M., 2011. System for prediction of environmental emergency dose information SPEEDI/WSEEPDI - its application to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power plant accident. iN: Indonesia Seminar by JICC-3rd to 5th October 2011, 36 pp.
17. Dickerson M.H., Sullivan T.J. ARAC Response to the Chernobyl Reactor Accident 1986, 33. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Report UCID - 20834, DE86 014750, Livermore, CA.
18. Ellis J. Use of atmospheric models in response to the Chernobyl disaster. Tracking and Predicting the Atmospheric Dispersion of Hazardous Material Releases: Implications for Homeland Security 2003, 114. Committee on the Atmospheric Dispersion of Hazardous Material Releases, National Research Council.
19. French S., Carter E., Niculae C. Decision support in nuclear and radiological emergency situations: are we too focused on models and technology?. Int. J. Emerg. Manage. 2007, 4(3):421-441.
20. Friedlander M. Livermore responds to crisis in post-earthquake. Sci. Technol. Rev., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory January/February 2012, 12-18.
21. Galmarini S., Bianconi R., Klug W., Mikkelsen T., Addis R., Andronopoulos S., Astrup P., Baklanov A., Bartniki J., Bartzis J.C., Bellasio R., Bompay F., Buckley R., Bouzom M., Champion H., D'Amours R., Davakis E., Eleveld H., Geertsema G.T., Glaab H., Kollax M., Ilvonen M., Manning A., Pechinger U., Persson C., Polreich E., Potemski S., Prodanova M., Saltbones J., Slaper H., Sofiev M.A., Syrakov D., Sørensen J.H., Van der Auwera L., Valkama I., Zelazny R. Ensemble dispersion forecasting - part I: concept, approach and indicators. Part II: application and evaluation. Atmos. Environ. 2004, 38:4607-4632.
22. Radiation Levels: WHO Reports on Chernobyl - Experts Estimate Radiation Dose Commitment in Europe November 1986, IAEA bulletin.
23. INSAG-7 - the Chernobyl Accident: Updating of INSAG-1 1992, 148. IAEA, AIEA Safety Series n°75-INSAG-7.
24. Rapport scientifique et technique. Radioact. Environ. 2006, 48. IRSN.
25. Tchernobyl, 25 ans après. Collect. thématique 2011, 48. IRSN.
26. Au cœur du centre de crise: En coulisse, stress et bouleversement 2011, IRSN, irsn.fr. 2011. Web. January 27th 2013, Available online at:, Consulted the November 15th 2012. http://www.irsn.fr/FR/base_de_connaissances/Installations_nucleaires/La_surete_Nucleaire/Les-accidents-nucleaires/accident-fukushima-2011/lecons/crise/Pages/6-experts-au-coeur-de-la-crise.aspx?dId=0ab3cc25-90c4-4f63-b1e2-8b4cffced060%26;dwId=2c2efbcb-5b45-47b2-b7ec-e96260c2961f.
27. Special report Fukushima - first lessons learned. Repères - the IRSN News Mag. 2012, 12:24. IRSN.
28. Fukushima, One Year Later - Initial Analyses of the Accident and its Consequences 2012, 188. IRSN, Report IRSN/DG/2012-003 of March 12th 2012.
29. Johnson R. Japan's 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami: Food and Agriculture Implications 2011, 18. Congressional Research Service.
30. Katata G., Terada H., Nagai H., Chino M. Numerical reconstruction of high dose rate zones due to the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. J.Environ. Radioact. 2012, 111:2-12.
31. Katata G., Ota M., Terada H., Chino M., Nagai H. Atmospheric discharge and dispersion of radionuclides during Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Part I: source term estimation and local-scale atmospheric dispersion in early phase of the accident. J.Environ. Radioact. 2012, 109:103-113.
32. Lange R., Dickerson M.H., Gudiksen P.H. Dose Estimation Form Chernobyl Accident 1987, Invited Paper Prepared for Presentation at the American Nuclear Society 1987 Winter Meeting, November 15-19th in Los Angeles, California.
33. Lange R. ADPIC: a three-dimensional particle-in-cell sequential puff code for modeling the transport and diffusion of atmospheric pollutants and its comparison to regional tracer studies. J.Appl. Meteor. 1978, 17:320-329.
34. Le Petit G., Douysset G., Ducros G., Gross P., Achim P., Monfort M., Raymond P., Pontillon Y., Jutier C., Blanchard X., Taffary T., Moulin C. Analysis of radionuclide releases from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident, part I. Pure Appl. Geophys. 2012, Published online in September 16th, 2012. 10.1007/s 00024-012-0581-6.
35. Marshall E. The lessons of Chernobyl. Science 1986, 233(4771):1375-1376.
36. Matanle P. The Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown: towards the (re)construction of a safe, sustainable, and compassionate society in Japan's shrinking regions. Local Environ.: Int. J. Justice Sustain. 2011, 16(9):823-847.
37. Mathieu, A., Korsakissok, I., Quélo, D., Groëll, J., Tombette, M., Didier, D., Quentric, E., Saunier, O., Benoit, J.P., 2012a. Assessment of atmospheric dispersion and radiological consequences for the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident. In: IRPA 13-Living with Radiation - Engaging with Society - Fukushima Session, Glasgow.
38. Mathieu A., Korsakissok I., Quélo D., Groëll J., Tombette M., Didier D., Quentric E., Saunier O., Benoit J.P. Atmospheric dispersion and deposition of radionuclides from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power plant accident. Elements: Int. Mag. Mineral. Geochem. Petrol. 2012, 8:195-200.
39. Results of Airborne Monitoring by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the U.S. Department of Energy 2011, MEXT, Available online at:, Last access: 27 Mai 2013. http://radioactivity.nsr.go.jp/en/.
40. Mimura N., Yasuhara K., Kawagoe S., Yokoki H., Kazama S. Damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami - a quick report. Mitig. Adapt. Strat. Global Change 2011, 16(7):803-818.
41. Misawa M., Nagamori F. System for prediction of environmental emergency dose information network system. Fujitsu Sci. Technol. J. 2008, 44(4):377-388.
42. Nasstrom J.S., Sugiyama G., Baskett R., Larsen S., Bradley M. The National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center (NARAC) Modeling and Decision Support System for Radiological and Nuclear Emergency Preparedness and Response 2005, Department of Energy, UCRL-JRNL-211678.
43. Nohara M. Impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami on health, medical care and public health systems in Iwate Prefecture, Japan, 2011. Western Pac. Surveill. Response J. 2011, 2(4):1-7.
44. Norio O., Ye T., Kajitani Y., Shi P., Tatano H. The 2011 Eastern Japan great earthquake disaster: overview and comments. Int. J. Disaster Risk Sci. 2011, 2(1):34-42.
45. Report of Report of Japanese Government to the IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Safety - The Accident at TEPCO's Fukushima Nuclear Power Stations 2011, 387. Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters.
46. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Reactor Safety Study WASH 1400 1975, NUREG 7510140, Washington.
47. Onishi N., Fackler M. Japan held Nuclear Data, Leaving Evacuees in Peril 8th August 2011, New York Times, Available online at:, Consulted the February 20th, 2013. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/09/world/asia/09japan.html.
48. Pemberton W., Mena R., Beal W. The role of the consequence management home team in the Fukushima Daiichi response. Health Phys. 2012, 102(5):549-556.
49. Pullen J., Chang J., Hanna S. Air-sea transport, dispersion, and fate modeling in the vicinity of the Fukushima nuclear power plant - a special conference session summary. Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc. 2013, 94(1):25-30.
50. Skamarock W.C., Klemp J.B., Dudhia J., Gill D.O., Barker D.M., Wang W., Powers J.G. ADescription of the Advanced Research WRF Version 2 2005, 100. NCAR Technical Note. NCAR/TN-468+STR.
51. Skamarock W.C., Klemp J.B., Dudhia J., Gill D.O., Barker D.M., Duda M.G., Huang X.-Y., Wang W., Powers J.G. Adescription of the Advanced Research WRF version 3 2008, 125. NCAR Technical Note. NCAR/TN-475+STR.
52. Søren J.H., Baklanov A., Hoe S. The Danish emergency response model of the atmosphere (DERMA). J.Environ. Radioact. 2007, 96:122-129.
53. Srinivas C.V., Venkatesan R., Baskaran R., Rajagopal V., Venkatraman B. Regional scale atmospheric dispersion simulation of accidental releases of radionuclides from Fukushima Dai-ichi reactor. J.Atmos. Environ. 2012, 61:66-84.
54. Stohl A., Forster C., Frank A., Seibert P., Wotawa G. Technical note: the Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART version 6.2. J.Atmos. Chem. Phys. 2005, 5:2461-2474.
55. Stohl A., Sodemann H., Eckhardt S., Frank A., Seibert P., Wotawa G. The Lagrangian Particle Dispersion Model FLEXPART Version 8.2. Flexpart User Guide V8.2 2011.
56. Stohl A., Seibert P., Wotana G., Arnold D., Burkhart J.F., Eckhardt S., Tapia C., Vargas A., Yasunari T.J. Xenon-133 and caesium-137 releases into the atmosphere from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant: determination of the source term, atmospheric dispersion, and deposition. J.Atmos. Chem. Phys. 2012, 12:2313-2343.
57. Sugiyama G., Nasstrom J.S., Probanz B., Foster K.T., Simpson M., Vogt P., Aluzzi F., Dillon M., Homann S. NARAC modeling during the response to the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear power plant emergency. AMS joint 17th Conference of the Applications of Air Pollution Meteorology and 10th Symposium on the Coastal Environment. New Orlean, LA, US, January 22th, 2012 through 26, 2012 2012, Department of Energy, LLNL-CONF-529471.
58. Sugiyama G., Nasstrom J.S., Probanz B., Foster K.T., Simpson M., Vogt P., Aluzzi F., Homann S. Atmospheric dispersion modelling: challenges of the Fukushima Daiichi response. Health Phys. 2012, 102(5):493-508.
59. Suh K.-S., Han M.-H., Jung S.-H., Lee C.-H. Numerical simulation for a long-range dispersion of a pollutant using Chernobyl data. Math. Comput. Model. 2009, 49:337-343.
60. Sullivan T.J., Belles R.D., Ellis J.S., Chino M., Nagai H. AReport of the Joint Development of a Prototype Communications Link to Share Nuclear Accident Dispersion and Dose Assessment Modeling Products between JAERI/WSPEEDI and LLNL/NARAC 2001, 34. UCRL-ID-143976, US Department of Energy, OSTI ID: 15005711.
61. Syrakov D., Veleva B., Prodanova M., Popova T., Kolarova M. The Bulgarian Emergency Response System for dose assessment in the early stage of accidental release. J.Environ. Radioact. 2011, 100:151-156.
62. Takahashi Y., Komata M., Yaguchi S. Development of the emergency response support system (ERSS) and a prototype of it. Proceeding of the specialist meeting on operator aids for severe accidents management and training, Halden Norway, 8-10 June 1993, NEA/CSNI/R-1993 1993, 108-124. OEACD Nuclear Energy Agency.
63. 137Cs deposition due to the Chernobyl nuclear accident. J.Nucl. Sci. Technol. 2005, 42(7):651-660.
64. The official Report of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission (NAIIC) 2012, 88. The National Diet of Japan.
65. Manual of Protective Action Guides and Protective Actions for Nuclear Accident 1992, 257. US EPA, Office of Radiation Programs.
66. Warner F., Harrison R.M. SCOPE 50-Radioecology after Chernobyl - Biogeochemcial Pathways of Artificial Radionuclides 1993, 400. Scientific Committee On Problems of the Environment (SCOPE).
67. Watson T.B., Heiser J., Kalb P., Dietz R.N., Wilke R., Wieser R., Vignato G. The New York City Urban Dispersion Program March 2005 Field Study: Tracer Methods and Results 2006, BNL-75592-2006, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY.
68. Wu J., Lu C.-H., Chang S.-J., Yang Y.-M., Chang B.-J., Teng J.-H. Three-dimensional dose evaluation system using real-time wind field information for nuclear accidents in Taiwan. Nucl. Instr. Meth. Phys. Res. 2006, 565:812-820.
69. Wybo J.L., Lonka H. Emergency management and information society: how to improve the synergy?. Int. J. Emerg. Manage. 2002, 1(2):183-190.
70. Yao R. Atmospheric dispersion of radioactive material in radiological risk assessment and emergency response. Progr. Nucl. Sci. Technol. 2011, 1:7-13.