Research and analysis

Radionuclides: transfer to fruit species in the UK

This report (HPA-CRCE-039) describes a model for predicting activity concentrations in fruit from releases of radioactivity to the atmosphere.

• From: Public Health England
• Published: 1 September 2012

Documents

HPA-CRCE-039: Modelling approach for the transfer of radionuclides to fruit species of importance in the UK

Ref: ISBN 978-0-85951-722-5

PDF, 477 KB, 82 pages

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Details

A compartment model has been developed to predict activity concentrations in fruit following deposition of radionuclides from both accidental and continuous releases of radioactivity to the atmosphere. This model considers the major fruit species grown in the UK.

The important routes of contamination for the major fruit species have been identified as a basis for determining the modelling approach following a review of experimental data and modelling approaches. A robust approach is adopted, reflecting the availability of information on radionuclide transfer to fruit. Where necessary, the modelling approaches adopted in foodchain models for other crops have been used to ensure that all potentially important transfer processes are taken into account.

This model replaces an earlier fruit model within the FARMLAND suite of foodchain models which was developed specifically for continuous release applications in 1995.

Published 1 September 2012