Ukrainian scientists modeled radiation spread map in case of accident at Zaporizhzhia NPP

Under the conditions observed on August 15–18, in the event of an accident at the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, radioactive contamination would primarily affect Ukraine

The Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute reports this.

However, as the scientists note, the radiation would also affect the neighboring states: pollution would threaten Kyiv and Donbas's occupied territories.

Researchers of the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine performed a simulation of the transfer of radioactive impurities during a hypothetical accident at the Zaporizhzhia NPP (ZNNP) under meteorological conditions on August 15–18, 2022.

The results of modeling the atmospheric transfer and dispersion of Cs-137 radioactive aerosols were obtained using the WRF ARW v4.3 forecast meteorological model and the atmospheric dispersion modeling complex CALMET-CALPUFF v6.

Scientists calculated the WRF forecast of meteorological conditions based on GFS global forecast data with a spatial resolution of 0.5o and a time resolution of 3 hours.

Radioactive emissions are given in the form of two-point sources at 200 and 500 m above the earth's surface with a total stationary power of 1 Bq/s (0.5 Bq/s for each source).

Scientists used the characteristics of their size distribution for radioactive aerosols: average diameter one μm, standard deviation two μm.

Due to the impossibility of determining the exact characteristics of the source of emissions in the event of a hypothetical accident at the ZNPP, we should interpret the results of numerical modeling only qualitatively and relatively.

"According to the results of the calculations, during August 15–18, 2022, the highest concentrations of radioactive aerosols can be observed within the territory of Ukraine, especially in the near zone from the emission source, with a radius of 50–100 km. Moreover, in almost all directions relative to the ZNPP.

Significant concentrations of radionuclides can reach the city of Kyiv.

Partially radioactive impurities may also be removed to the territory of neighboring states (the eastern part of Belarus, Poland, and the Baltic States).

At the end of the simulated period, the main direction of radionuclide transport is eastward.

As a result, significant concentrations of radioactive aerosols can be observed over the occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions," the Institute notes.

Reference

At the beginning of a full-scale war, russia seized the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. On March 4, it captured the Zaporizhzhia atomic power plant, creating risks of a radiation disaster.

On July 15, the Ukrainian "Energoatom" energy company reported that the russians are installing missile complexes on the territory of the ZNPP, from which they are shelling the Nikopol district.

On August 5, the Zaporizhzhia NPP began to be shelled. Ukraine accuses russian troops of shooting the nuclear power plant, and russia blames Ukrainian defenders.

The UN called for an end to hostilities near the ZNNP, and the world community called on russia to leave the territory of the nuclear power plant.

On August 18, russia's defense ministry announced that on August 19, during the visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to Ukraine, a "large-scale provocation" could occur at the ZNPP.

The russian forces also announced a possible shutdown of the Zaporizhzhia NPP if the alleged shelling continues.