Modeling Radionuclide Distribution and Transport at a Legacy Site

This work describes the development of mathematical models for radionuclides distribution and transport in the environment. The applicability of the models involves an integrated approach to assess quantitatively radionuclides dispersion in different environmental compartments, resulting from uranium tailings disposals and storages of other low-activity mining wastes. The outputs are the radionuclides activities in each compartment where relevant exposure end-points were selected. These data, complemented with an exposure scenario, allow a dose estimate as well as a quantitative environmental risk assessment. The models may be applied to other sites where measurements have not been made or would be impossible to make.