The marine kd and water/sediment interaction problem

Abstract

The behavior of marine distribution coefficients is analyzed with the help of numerical experiments and analytical solutions of equations describing kinetic models for uptake/release of radionuclides. The difficulties in measuring true k(d) in a marine environment perturbed by an external radionuclide source are highlighted. Differences between suspended matter and bed sediment k(d) are analyzed. The performances of different kinetic models (1-step/2step; single-layer/multi-layer) are studied in model/model and model/experiment comparisons. Implications for the use of models to assess radioactive contamination after an emergency are given; as well as recommendations when k(d) data are compiled in order to create a useful database.