Atmospheric trajectory analysis of cesium-137 from proposed nuclear power plant site in Bangka Island, Indonesia

Abstract

Environmental risk assessment for nuclear power plant (NPP) operation is important to monitor the level of radionuclide concentration in the atmosphere and to determine the health risks associated with potential external radiation exposure. A NPP site was proposed in Bangka Island, Indonesia, 554 km from Johor Bahru, Malaysia. In the event of postulated nuclear emergency, the radionuclide dispersion from Bangka Island can possibly arrive in Malaysia’s atmosphere due to its close distance with Malaysian border. The purpose of this study is to assess the trajectories of Cs-137 radionuclide towards Malaysia from Bangka Island NPP site. A simulation was conducted using Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model (HYSPLIT) to describe the movement of radionuclides in the atmosphere from Bangka Island towards Malaysia. The result shows the trajectories and direction of both radionuclides are very much affected by the monsoon season, as well as the meteorological characteristics such as wind speed and direction. In the simulated event of radioactive release in 2019, the trajectories can be seen moving directly towards Malaysia in May, June, July, August, September and October. It is concluded that if Indonesia were to proceed with the NPP construction in Bangka Island, necessary preparation such as emergency plan and risks mitigation should be strategized early in Malaysia to safeguard the public and the environment.