Dr. Piotr Kopka from the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) has received funding under the prestigious SONATA 20 competition organized by the National Science Centre (NCN). The project, titled ”A Probabilistic Inverse Model for Identifying the Source of Atmospheric Contamination on a Continental Scale”, aims to develop a new model that, based on sensor network data, will be able to accurately determine the location and time of the release of hazardous substances into the atmosphere.

The inspiration for the research came from events in 2017, when radioactive ruthenium-106 was detected in several European countries, without any clear indication of its source. Such incidents—whether accidental or deliberate—pose serious risks to human health and the environment, and their accurate identification can be critical for effective response.

As part of the project, a system called STE-EU-SCALE (Source Term Estimation for European-Scale) will be developed. It will combine measurement data with advanced statistical algorithms, pollution transport models, and distributed computing infrastructure. This model will enable a more reliable assessment of radiological situations and support decision-making in emergency scenarios.

„The project addresses real needs of crisis management services and environmental protection agencies—it enables not only the prediction but also the reconstruction of events with significant social and political impact,” explains Dr Piotr Kopka, the project leader.

The project will be carried out at the Laboratory for Nuclear Energy and Environmental Analyses (UZ3) of NCBJ, with active involvement from the MANHAZ. The funding amounts to nearly 1 million PLN.