title: A method for estimating (41)Ar, (85)(,88)Kr and (131m,133)Xe doses to non-human biota.
abstract: A method is presented for estimating (41)Ar, (85,88)Kr and (131m,133)Xe dose rates to terrestrial wildlife without having to resort to comparisons with analogue radionuclides. The approach can be used to calculate the dose rates arising from external exposures to given ambient air concentrations of these isotopes. Dose conversion coefficient (DCC) values for a range of representative organisms are calculated, using a Monte Carlo approach to generate absorbed fractions based on representing animals as reference ellipsoid geometries. Plume immersion is the main component of the total DCC. DCC values calculated for a human-sized organism are compared with human dose conversion factors from ICRP Publication 119, demonstrating the consistency of the biota approach with that for humans. An example of application is provided for hypothetical nuclear power plant atmospheric discharges with associated exposures to birds and insects. In this example, the dose rates appear to be dominated by (133)Xe and (88)Kr, respectively. The biota considered would be protected from the effects of noble gas radiation from a population protection perspective.
authors: Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium. Electronic address: jordi.vives.i.batlle@sckcen.be.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Vives I Batlle
authors: Dalton Nuclear Institute, University of Manchester, UK.
authors: S R
authors: SR
authors: Jones
authors: School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, UK.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Copplestone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001128:Argon / Q000032:analysis; D001717:Birds / Q000378:metabolism*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D007313:Insecta / Q000378:metabolism*; D007726:Krypton / Q000032:analysis; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D005741:Noble Gases / Q000032:analysis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D014980:Xenon Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D005741:Noble Gases; D011868:Radioisotopes; D014980:Xenon Radioisotopes; D007726:Krypton; D001128:Argon
keywords: Argon; Dose; Krypton; Noble gases; Non-human biota; Xenon