Atmospheric dispersion modeling and radiological environmental impact assessment for normal operation of a proposed pressurized water reactor in the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia

As a licensing requirement, constructing new nuclear power plant (NPP) requires performing radiological environmental impact assessment (REIA) which includes the study of radioactive releases' effects on surrounding environment and population. These discharges could be aerial: from chimneys (stacks), evaporation, erosion, re-suspension; or liquid discharges: into rivers, lakes, estuaries coastal waters. This work presents an REIA for pressurized water reactor (PWR) assumed to installed in Umm Huwayd Eastern Coast Saudi Arabia. HYSPLIT tool is utilized estimate air concentration ground deposition certain released radionuclides such as: 137 Cs 131 I. It also used analyze exposure dose's spatial distribution around nominated site according direction distance. The radionuclide dispersion profiles each four weather seasons were examined. results revealed that profile controlled by parameters varies season season. Around site, Huwayd, maximum estimated I was 5.6 × 10 −6 Bq m −3 , annual at selected had peak value 3.3 −9 −2 . GENII effective dose equivalent cancer risks site. ingestion pathway contributed most with 68.35% total, while external inhalation pathways 30.50% 1.15%, respectively. shown total rate cases (cancer incidence) 1/10 9 persons. death fatality) 5/10 person. Therefore, highest risk level much lower than tolerable levels as suggested International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Commission Radiological Protection (ICRP). • A performed (PWR). PWR deposition. risks. figures recommended IAEA ICRP limits.