Simulation results of dry deposition of radioactive aerosols in the Arctic regions of the Far North

Abstract

Modeling of dry deposition of radioactive aerosols in the Arctic regions of the Far North is presented using a model of dry deposition of aerosols on heterogeneous underlying surfaces, which takes into account the influence of the size and density of aerosol particles, surface roughness characteristics and dynamic friction velocity, determined based on parameterization of the boundary and surface layers in the used version of the WRF-ARW model. Estimates of contamination of the earth's surface with radioactive aerosols with particle sizes of 0.1, 1 and 10 microns in the Arctic regions of the Far North (territories of Yamal Peninsula and Kola Peninsula) with heterogeneous underlying surfaces under real meteorological conditions in summer and winter periods have been obtained. It is shown that contamination of the earth's surface with radioactive aerosols in the Yamal and Kola Peninsulas depends on the size of aerosol particles and the types of the underlying surface in summer and winter. The greatest heterogeneity of contamination of the territory and its dependence on the type of underlying surface is observed for particles less than 1 micron, and for large particles, the determining factors are the terrain and meteorological conditions at the time of release. The results of numerical modeling will reduce the uncertainty of estimates of contamination of the area with radioactive aerosols and increase their reliability in the interests of analyzing and ensuring public safety, including the environmental impact of radioactive aerosols generated at nuclear energy facilities that are operated and will be used in the Arctic regions of the Far North.