A sensitivity analysis of the parameters controlling water–sediment interactions in the coastal zone: Consequences to man and environment

A sensitivity analysis has been carried out on the basis of the local and global sensitivity indexes for selected radionuclides (3H, 137Cs, 238Pu, 241Am and 244Cm) and main parameters describing the water–sediment interaction (sediment reworking rate, pore–water turnover rate, sediment distribution coefficient, suspended sediment load in water column, sedimentation rate, molecular diffusion coefficient, surface sediment thickness, porosity of bottom sediment and density of sediment material). Sensitivity analysis has been carried out using a compartment model for dose assessment to man and biota, which includes the processes of advection of radioactivity between compartments, sedimentation, diffusion of radioactivity through pore water in sediments, particle mixing, pore water mixing and a burial process of radioactivity in deep sediment layers.The sensitivity analysis indicates that for the conditions in the Norwegian Current (the Norwegian Sea) particle mixing dominates the transfer of radioactivity between the bottom water and surface sediment compartments. For the conditions in the Ob Bay (the Kara Sea), the sedimentation process has also been found to be significant.The calculated dynamics of the sensitivity indexes demonstrate clearly the complexities encountered when modeling water–sediment interactions. It is also shown that the results can be strongly dependent on the time of analysis. For example, given a specific change of parameters the radionuclide concentration will be either increased or decreased, depending on the temporal interval.Information provided by the sensitivity analysis can contribute to a better understanding of experimental data and might further improve the parameterization process. The obtained results show that water–sediment interactions can play a key role in the marine coastal environment, thus demonstrating the need to further deepen our understanding of them, as well as improve the models describing them.

Research Highlights
► A sensitivity analysis is performed for the water-sediment interaction parameters.
► These parameters correspond to the marine compartment model for dose assessment.
► Water-sediment interactions can play a key role in the marine coastal environment.
► Results can be strongly dependant on the time of analysis.