Predicted Caesium-137 deposition from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests (United Kingdom)
| Abstract | Prediction of 137Cs deposition from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests. The methodology uses a ratio of 137Cs deposition and precipitation measured at Milford Haven by the Atomic Energy Authority extrapolated across Great Britain using a 5 by 5 km resolution UKCIP (UK Climate Impacts Programme) precipitation dataset. The prediction is for 31st December 1985 (the year before the Chernobyl accident). | |
| STAR partner | NERC-CEH | |
| Type of data | n/a | |
| Sample number | n/a | |
| Quality | The methodology used to estimate 137Cs deposition from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests was originally developed in the Artic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) to estimate rates of radiocaesium transfer from soil to vegetation and food products. The method was then used to estimate 137Cs deposition from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests in Great Britain to allow quantification of 137Cs from the Chernobyl accident in 1986. | |
| Spatially referenced | Yes | |
| Ecosystem type | Terrestrial | |
| Sample type | n/a | |
| Date | ||
| Languages | English | |
| Status | Completed study | |
| Obtain data | Please contact Simon Wright at smw@ceh.ac.uk | |
| Key reference sources | Wright, S.M., Howard, B.J., Strand, P. Nylen, T & Sickel, M.A.K., 1999. Prediction of 137Cs deposition from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests within the Arctic. Environmental Pollution, 104, 131-143. | |
| Data ownership | NERC-CEH | |
| Database format | csv | |
| Figure information | 3-D flyover of Great Britain with predicted Cs-137 deposition from nuclear weapons fallout (produced by C. Woods & C.L. Barnett, CEH-Lancaster) | |
| Keywords | united_kingdom , nuclear_weapons_fallout , infoex | |
Prepared by STAR NoE