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 ¹³⁷Cs 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 ¹³⁷Cs 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 ¹³⁷Cs would be found in the area around the nuclear power plant with a value of 10¹¹ PBq/m³, then it would decrease through diffusion and advection processes. On the 15^th day, the spread of ¹³⁷Cs 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 ¹³⁷Cs follows the dominant current pattern due to its nature. The presence of ¹³⁷Cs in Indonesian waters after the 15^th and 30^th days would reach a value of 1 Bq/m³ due to advection and diffusion processes.