Simulation Results of Dry Deposition of Radioactive Aerosols in the Arctic Regions of the Far North

This study presents modeling of the dry deposition of radioactive aerosols in the Arctic regions of the Far North using a model of aerosol dry deposition on heterogeneous underlying surfaces. The model accounts for the influence of aerosol particle size and density, surface roughness characteristics, and the dynamic friction velocity determined on the basis of boundary-layer and surface-layer parameterization in the applied version of the WRF-ARW model. Estimates have been obtained of radioactive aerosol contamination of the ground surface for particle sizes of 0.1, 1, and 10 μm in Arctic regions of the Far North (the Yamal and Kola peninsulas) with heterogeneous underlying surfaces under real meteorological conditions during summer and winter. It is shown that radioactive aerosol contamination of the ground surface on the Yamal and Kola peninsulas depends on particle size and the type of underlying surface in summer and winter. The greatest spatial heterogeneity of contamination and its dependence on the type of underlying surface are observed for particles smaller than 1 μm, while for larger particles, the determining factors are terrain and meteorological conditions at the time of release. The results of numerical modeling will reduce the uncertainty in estimates of radioactive aerosol contamination of terrain and improve their reliability for purposes of analysis and ensuring public safety, including assessment of environmental impacts of radioactive aerosols generated at nuclear energy facilities currently operating and planned for operation in the Arctic regions of the Far North.