Modeling of the Cs137 and Sr90 contamination transportation process performed for the vicinity of National Radioactive Wastes Disposal in Różan (NE Poland)

Abstract

This paper contains the results of radionuclides transportation modeling under National Radioactive Waste Disposal (NRWD) grounds in Różan (northeast Poland). The disposal is of the low- and intermediate-level waste (LILW) type. We simulated the radionuclides transportation process through sandy soils. The simulation was performed in a self-written simulator in Scilab using the finite difference method. The model included diffusion, advection and radioactive decay. The model was tested according to convergence and stability. Assuming the hydrological gradient being 0.008, the contamination transportation time was 30–46 years depending on the modeled problem. The modeled distance of 600 m was from underneath the disposal to the exudation in the Narew ravine. Radioactive decay for both cesium (Cs137) and strontium (Sr90) had a significant impact on the results. The model proved to be a useful tool for performing simple scientific simulations. This survey was part of a PhD thesis.