Resuspension and transport of plutonium in the Palomares area

Abstract

A model of resuspension and air transport of particles has been used in a scenario of natural contamination in Palomares, Spain, to improve the understanding of the available data on soil and air concentrations. Meteorological conditions in 1988 and air concentrations measured over several years and at four points have been used to calibrate the model. The model predicts the order of magnitude of the air concentration within a factor of 3 at the points with the measurements available. This has made it possible to estimate the order of magnitude of the resuspension rate and deposition velocity in the area. The resuspension factor shows abnormally low values in relation to the large mass loading observed. This seems to be related to the association of a large fraction of plutonium with large particles. The limitations of the model used and the data available have been studied and some further approaches are suggested to improve the understanding of the processes of regional transport.