Numerical Simulation of the Impact of Accidental Radioactive Releases into the Meuse and Scheldt Aquatic Systems.

Patil, Amit Ravindra [UCL] Deleersnijder, Eric [UCL] Lambrechts, Jonathan [UCL] Fiengo Perez, Fabricio [Aquafin]

The Fukushima and Chernobyl disasters tragically illustrated the risks associated with the civilian nuclear industry. In Belgium, there are two nuclear power plants (Doel and Tihange), whilst two others are located near its borders on the banks of the Meuse River (Chooz) and Scheldt Estuary (Borselle). Therefore, quantitative and qualitative understanding involved in the fate and transport of radioactivity in these water systems is required in order to assist emergency responses. Predictive models become crucial for developing such environmental strategies for making rapid decisions to minimize the potential impact of a nuclear disaster. I will present a state-of-the-art methodology for assessing the impact of radioactive releases on the water quality, which can be used to deal with potential accidental releases.