Modelling the dispersion of non-conservative radionuclides in tidal waters—Part 2: Application to 226Ra dispersion in an estuarine system

The Odiel river is an estuary system located in the south-west of Spain and affected by tidal dynamics. A phosphate fertilizer processing plant releases part of its wastes directly into the Odiel river. The model described in a previous paper (J. Environ. Radioactivity, 31(2), 127–141) has been applied to study 226Ra (discharged from the fertilizer plant) dispersion in the Odiel river. The model adequately reproduces the observed behaviour of 226Ra in suspended matter and the dissolved phase along the Odiel river, as well as the general behaviour of the measured distribution coefficients. Some predictive studies as well as the corresponding sensitivity studies are also included in this paper.