Bibliography

(eng): Hypothetical radioactivity release with potentially high variability of the source strength is examined. The interactions of the radioactive cloud with surface and atmospheric precipitation are studied and possible adverse consequences on the environment are estimated. The worst-case scenario is devised in two stages starting with a calm meteorological situation succeeded by wind. At the first stage, the discharges of radionuclides into the motionless ambient atmosphere are assumed. During several hours of this calm meteorological situation, a relatively significant level of radioactivity can be accumulated around the source. At the second stage, the calm is assumed to terminate and convective movement of the air immediately starts. The pack of accumulated radioactivity in the form of multiple Gaussian puffs is drifted by wind and pollution is disseminated over the terrain. The results demonstrate the significant transport of radioactivity even behind the protective zone of a nuclear facility (up to between 15 and 20 km). In the case of rain, the aerosols are heavily washed out and dangerous hot spots of the deposited radioactivity can surprisingly emerge even far from the original source of the pollution.