Surface deposits and sediment cores were collected from the Upper Bonny Estuary, located in Southwest Nigeria, and analyzed to determine spatio-temporal and vertical distributions of radio-nuclide activities expressed in Bq·kg−1 dry weight. The results of activities of naturally occurring radionuclides of 226Ra (15 ± 2–34 ± 3 Bq·kg−1), 228Ra (32 ± 5–48 ± 6 Bq·kg−1), 40K (264 ± 29–462 ± 36 Bq·kg−1) were found to be all within the range of typical values reported for coastal regions. Ratios of 226Ra to 228Ra suggested accretion for all samples with low sediment accumulation registered during rainy months. In addition, vertical distributions at the three sampling sites were also studied with the initial aim of establishing chronologies from the decay of excess 210Pb. In two cores, excess 210Pb, estimated by subtracting 226Ra from total 210Pb on a layer-by-layer basis, exhibit relatively constant activity with discrete minima and maxima. Therefore, these cores were excluded from radiometric dating. Only the third core could be dated by the constant rate of supply model, and 137Cs was utilized to validate the 210Pb chronology.

This work aimed at generating homogenized group constants using the Serpent code and then using the CriMR diffusion code to model the large SFR OECD 3600 MWth MOX core. The results were compared with a full core reference Monte Carlo solution by Serpent. Reactivity feedback parameters were also considered. Generating the group constants from separate fuel assemblies allows for simultaneously carrying out calculations and then using the results as input in diffusion codes rather than waiting so long for a 3D full core Monte Carlo calculation to be completed. From the results of the integral parameters we see a close agreement in the calculation codes. The differences can be attributed to the errors that could arise from generating the constants from individual sub-assemblies. The differences in the underlying physics and approximations used in development of the codes could also be a factor. Another way the errors could be reduced is by checking to see that the sub-assembly configurations used in the non-multiplying zones are as close as possible to the real layout in a full 3D core.

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