Modelling the fate of sulphur-35 in crops. 2. Development and validation of the CROPS-35 model.
Gas-cooled nuclear power plants in the UK release sulphur-35 during their routine operation, which can be readily assimilated by vegetation. It is therefore necessary to be able to model the uptake of such releases in order to quantify any potential contamination of the food chain. A model is described which predicts the concentration of (35)S in crop components following an aerial gaseous release. Following deposition the allocation to crop components is determined by an export function from a labile pool, the leaves, to those components growing most actively post exposure. The growth rates are determined by crop growth data, which is also used to determine the concentration. The loss of activity is controlled by radioactive decay only. The paper describes the calibration and the validation of the model. To improve the model, further experimental work is required particularly on the export kinetics of (35)S. It may be possible to adapt such a modelling approach to the prediction of crop content for gaseous releases of (3)H and (14)C from nuclear facilities.
Collins
Chris
C
Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BP, UK. c.collins@imperial.ac.uk
Cunningham
Nathan
N
D002138:Calibration; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D008954:Models, Biological; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D011848:Radioactive Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D011848:Radioactive Pollutants; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes