###### Abstract  
An accidental radiological release or the operation of a radiological dispersal device (RDD) may lead to the contamination of a large area. Such scenarios may lead to health and safety risks associated with the resuspension of contaminated particles due to aeolian (wind-induced) soil erosion and tracking activities. Stabilization technologies limiting resuspension are therefore needed to avoid spreading contamination and to reduce exposures to first responders and decontamination workers. Resuspension testing was performed on soils from two sites of the Negev Desert following treatment with three different stabilization materials: calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and saltwater from the Dead Sea in Israel. Two and six weeks post-treatment, resuspension was examined by inducing wind-driven resuspension and quantitatively measuring particle emission from the soils using a boundary-layer wind tunnel system. Experiments were conducted under typical wind velocities of this region. Treating the soils reduced resuspension fluxes of particulate matter < 10 \(\upmu\)m (PM\({}_{10}\)) and saltating (sand-sized) particles to around background levels. Resuspension suppression efficiencies from the treated soils were a minimum of 94% for all three stabilizers, and the Dead Sea salt solution yielded 100% efficiency over all wind velocities tested. The impact of the salt solutions (prime) was directly related to the salt treatment rather than the wetting of the soils. Stabilization was still observed six weeks post-treatment, supporting that this technique can effectively limit resuspension for a prolonged duration, allowing sufficient time for decision making and management of further actions. osil resuspension; stabilization material; soil contamination; Dead Sea saltwater; dust emission; soil erosion +
Footnote †: journal: _Sci. prevent resuspension could reduce the overall exposure for emergency responders and decontamination workers and also reduce the spread of contamination. Hence, stabilization technologies and methodologies to minimize this exposure are needed [1,2]. Aeolian (wind-induced) soil erosion, and the following process of dust emission, results in the resuspension of soil-derived particles to the atmosphere and air pollution [3, 4, 5]. Stabilization technologies are designed to prevent the spread of particles (such as by resuspension) and are routinely used in industries, such as road constructions and mining sites, for dust control [2]. The application of rapidly available and easily applied stabilization technologies has the potential for accomplishing multiple goals following the release of radioactive particles from a radiological contamination event. Primarily, the application of a stabilization material may reduce exposures to first responders and decontamination workers assisting with the response due to tracking. In addition, such technologies would limit the wind-induced spread of contamination to other non-contaminated, less-contaminated, or recently decontaminated areas, subsequently reducing the time and resources needed for additional decontamination operations [2]. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) previously conducted work on stabilization technologies [1,2,6,7]. From these studies, the list below presents some options recommended by stakeholders and experts that may be suitable for stabilization:  
* Soil2O(r)1 dust control wetting agent (available in the US);
* Calcium chloride (CaCl\({}_{2}\));
* Phos-Chek(r)MVP-F3 fire retardant (available in the US);
* Locally available firefighting foam;
* Capping with locally available gravel, mulch, sand or clay;
* Misting with water or saltwater (brine), with the possible addition of additives;
* Application of a polymer coating/gel. There is a lack of fundamental research examining the applicability of stabilization materials required in an event leading to the contamination of a large area with radioactive materials.