Modelling and assessment of the impact of radiocesium and radiostrontium contamination in the Thermaikos Gulf, Greece

Evaluation of the environmental sensitivity of Aegean Sea based on radiological box modeling

A radiological box model of the Aegean Sea has been developed simulating the dispersion and fate of radionuclides in the marine environment. The model incorporates all transfer processes within abiotic and biotic compartments in combination with appropriate site-specific information. The model was calibrated using empirical radiological data, with the simulation of ¹³⁷Cs dispersion after the Chernobyl. Environmental sensitivity analysis has been carried out based on Chernobyl ¹³⁷Cs fallout, in terms of doses to representative marine organisms (fish, crustacean and molluscs) and human population. Comparison of the results with doses from natural sources and sensitivity estimations for shallow marine environments has been performed in order to reveal the vulnerability of each sub-region. The main characteristics and parameters controlling the radioecological processes are also discussed.