Potential eolian transfer of radioactive dusts from contaminated saltmarshes to coastal residential areas

Rahman, Rubina ORCID: 0000-0002-4146-1300 and Plater, Andrew J ORCID: 0000-0001-7043-227X (2021) Potential eolian transfer of radioactive dusts from contaminated saltmarshes to coastal residential areas. AEROSOL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 55 (11). pp. 1249-1263.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2021.1942428

Abstract

Dust samples from a residential area next to the Dee estuary saltmarsh, north-west England, UK, were collected at two heights and analyzed to investigate the potential for transporting radioactive dusts inland from the saltmarsh via an eolian pathway. 137Cs activities were found in the range from 20 ± 4 to 794 ± 113 Bq kg−1, with mean of 193 Bq kg−1 and from 15 ± 4 to 252 ± 8 Bq kg−1, with mean of 109 Bq kg−1 in dusts at 2 m and 0.3 m heights, respectively. The total annual effective doses were found as 1–41 µSv y−1 and 2–95 µSv y−1 for minimum and maximum occupancy, respectively. The maximum value of 41 µSv y−1 for the minimum outdoor occupancy falls below the world average value of 70 µSv y−1 but the maximum value of 95 µSv y−1 for the maximum occupancy is 36% higher than the world average value and is non-negligible. The collected dust samples were about 75% organic and 25% mineral particles. During sampling period at 2 m height, mean and maximum wind speeds were found 5-8 m s −1, and 16–22 m s −1, respectively. Detailed examination of radionuclide, grain size and wind data during dust collection period reveal that the estimated threshold wind speeds (5-23 m s −1) over the saltmarsh are sufficient to entrain radioactive dust particles (63–4 µm diameter) to be transported and deposited in inland, and hence poses potential health risks to coastal populations. Copyright © 2021 American Association for Aerosol Research.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Jingkun Jiang
Divisions:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	24 Jun 2021 07:54
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 22:33
DOI:	10.1080/02786826.2021.1942428
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3127454