LAKECO: Modelling the transfer of radionuclides in a lake ecosystem

The model LAKECO has been developed to be one of the aquatic models within the emergency decision support system RODOS (Real-Time On-line Decision Support System for off-site emergency management in Europe). LAKECO is a dynamic model, able to predict the radionuclide levels in water, in sediments, and in fishery produce in various types of lake ecosystems. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses demonstrate the dominant parameters. In order to develop a more flexible and applicable model, LAKECO has been modified and extended with process based sub-modules to assess these parameters, which increased the predictive power of the model. Subsequent validation tests with this new release showed a higher reliability of the model predictions. LAKECO will be integrated into RODOS and coupled to dose and countermeasure models to assess both the short and long-term radiological consequences due to the aquatic exposure routes in accident circumstances.