Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Modeling in the Context of Releases of ¹⁴C as a Consequence of Nuclear Activities

The need to address radiological impacts from radiocarbon released to the biosphere has been recognized for some time. In 2011, the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) commissioned a study to develop a 14C model of the soil-plant-atmosphere system that would provide them with an independently developed assessment capability. This paper summarizes that study, which comprised a review of contemporary models, the development of a new conceptual model, SSPAM14C, and the application of SSPAM14C to a set of experimental data relating to the atmospheric exposure of cabbages.