Simulation of Dispersion Modeling of 137Cs for the Possible Leakage of Malaysia’s Nuclear Power Plant Operation

Abstract

The world's energy needs increase in line with population growth. One alternative to overcome this problem is the construction of a nuclear power plant, a source of energy that is cheap, clean, and safe. Malaysia has a plan to construct nuclear power plants by 2025, which is located close to Indonesian waters. This study aimed to determine the distribution model of 137 Cs radionuclide released by the nuclear power plant in the event of a leak in east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and its impact on the presence of 137 Cs in Indonesian waters. A quantitative method was used in this study with a scenario 2D modeling using hydrodynamics module and transport module in MIKE software. The results showed that the highest concentration of 137 Cs would be found in the area around the nuclear power plant with a value of 10 11 PBq/m 3 , then it would decrease through diffusion and advection processes. On the 15 th day, the spread of 137 Cs would reach Indonesian waters with a distance of up to 76 km and would expand on the 30 th day with a distance of up to 130 km from the released source. The movement of 137 Cs follows the dominant current pattern due to its nature. The presence of 137 Cs in Indonesian waters after the 15 th and 30 th days would reach a value of 1 Bq/m 3 due to advection and diffusion processes.

Modeling of ¹³⁷Cs Dispersion in the Atlantic Ocean at Ahanta West Coast: A Hypothetical Candidate Site for Ghana’s First Nuclear Power Plant

“…Surface currents aid in the dispersal of 137 Cs to regions with lower concentrations, resulting in an expansion of the 137 Cs distribution area over time. This expansion of the distribution area will be accompanied by a drop in the concentration of 137 Cs [21]. This is because radionuclides undergo advection and diffusion processes when they enter the sea.…”