Hazell, D., and
M.H. England, 2003:
Prediction of the fate of
radioactive material in the South Pacific Ocean using a global
eddy-resolving model, J. Environmental Radioactivity,
65, 329-355.
Link to pdf of the article
Moruroa, Mururoa, Ocean Model, South Pacific, Radioactive Tracer, French Polynesia
We investigate the release of radioactive contaminants from Moruroa Atoll in a global high resolution off-line model. The spread of tracer is studied in a series of simulations with varying release depths, release time-scales, and into ocean velocity fields corresponding to long-term annual-mean, seasonal, and interannually varying scenarios. In the instantaneous surface release scenarios we find that the incorporation of a seasonal cycle greatly influences tracer advection, with maximum concentrations still found within the French Polynesia region after 10 years. In contrast, the maximum trace is located in the south-east Pacific when long term annual-mean fields are used. This emphasises the importance of the seasonal cycle in models of pollution dispersion on large-scales. We further find that during an ENSO event reduced currents in the region of Moruroa Atoll result in increased concentrations of radioactive material in French Polynesia, as direct flushing from the source is reduced. in terms of the sensitivity to tracer release time-rates, we find that a gradual input results in maximum concentrations in the near vicinity of French Polynesia. This contrasts the instantaneous release scenarios, which see relative maximum concentrations and tracer spread across much of the South Pacific Ocean. A comparison of results is made with previous studies. Overall, we find much higher concentrations of radionuclides in the South Pacific than has previously been predicted using coarser resolution models.
Introduction
The off line tracer model
Experimental design
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
Figures
Animations
http://www.maths.unsw.edu.au/~doughaze
Page created by Douglas R. Hazell 7/6/2001
Last update of this page: 7/6/2001