Comparative analysis and validation of methodological approaches to the Gaussian model of pollutant transport

Comparative analysis and validation of methodological approaches to the Gaussian model of pollutant transport 

Yakovleva O. V., Shmelkov Yu. B.

The paper shows the results of the comparative analysis of three methodologies presented in the Russian methodological documentation and describing the transport of pollutants in the environment using the Gaussian model. An analysis and comparison of the expressions for variance coefficients characterizing the Gaussian model were performed. A comparison of calculated and measured values of dispersion coefficients and concentrations is presented using the example of three field experiments.
As a result, key factors influencing the values of the dispersion coefficients for each of the considered methods were identified, including the stability class of the atmosphere and the roughness of the underlying surface. For each method, the accuracy of predicting vertical and horizontal dispersion, as well as surface concentrations, was evaluated.
It was found that the method given in RB-134-17 “Recommended Methods for Assessment and Prediction of Accident Radiological Consequences at Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facilities” tends to overestimate the dispersion coefficients for the experimental dataset. Within the conducted analysis, the method outlined in OPB-84 “Methods for calculation of NPP-generated radioactive substances dispersion and exposure of local population” demonstrated the best agreement with the experimental data.

► Keywords: atmospheric dispersion, surface concentrations, Gaussian model, dispersion coefficients, radiological consequences.

Article language: Russian. Pp. 57–71. [in Russian]. DOI: 10.26277/SECNRS.2025.116.2.004.