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Parameters and sub-models for wet deposition of soluble and particulate contaminants to crops - RP0162
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Description
The proposed project will use the newly commissioned
MAFF/CARE rain simulator (at Silwood Park, Ascot) to carry
out a comprehensive series of experiments deriving high
quality parameters relating to the interception and
retention of contaminants in rain falling onto crop
canopies. While limited data exists in the literature for
this process, MAFF's existing modelling capability is
restricted by the unavailability of data directly relevant
ot the UK. The project will provide such data for different
combinations of rainfall duration and intensity, generic
crop type and growth stage/density, and contaminant
chemistry. Building on the previous successful use of
multivariate statistical analysis in predicting dry
deposition parameters, similar statistical methods will be
applied to the experimantal data to allow estimates to be
made of wet deposition parameters for unexplored
combinations of rainfall, canopy and contaminant types.
Existing models will be tested against the data, and new
compartmental model(s) proposed using derived statistical
relationships as
built-in parameter estimators. This research is expected to
enhance very significantly MAFF's capability to predict the
dose-to-man of radioactive contaminants depositing to crops
in rainfall. |
Objective
1. Identify which contaminants are of prime interest and which are likely to be soluble
2. Identify crop canopies covering a range of architectures
3. Develop techniques to ensure that particulates remain uniformly suspended in solution, and for measuring partitioning of contaminants
between solid and liquid phases
4. Identify representative UK rainfall characteristics, and develop exptl program to explore parameters important in interception of wet deposits
5. Determine interception as a function of rainfall parameters and biomass characteristics
6. Statistical analysis of data, and production of multivariate regression model
7. Test existing models and produce time compartmental sub-model for wet deposition (if necessary) |
Time-Scale and Cost
From:
1996
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To:
1999
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Cost: £134,571 |
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Contractor / Funded Organisations
University - London |
Keywords
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