A detailed investigation, concerning 14C-levels in terrestrial- and fresh water samples from the vicinity of the Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania is presented. The plant consists of two RBMK-1500 (light-water-cooled and graphite-moderated) reactors. The first unit was put into operation in 1983 and was shut down by the end of 2004. The second unit starting in 1987 is still in operation. During 2003 and 2004, approximately 70 samples have been collected and analyzed at the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) facility in Lund, Sweden. The samples collected include tree leaves and needles, grass, moss and soil profiles, as well as fresh water plants; covering a distance of up to 32 kilometers from the plant.
The investigation showed 14C levels of up to 20 times higher than the contemporary background level in moss and soil samples taken close to the reactor. This 14C seems to be in non-organic form, i.e. not due to uptake of 14CO2 through photosynthesis. The hypothesis is that the high 14C excess could be associated with airborne 14C particulates from the plant. At distances over 2000 m the 14C-levels were very close to the current background levels.
The results from the Ignalina study are compared to the results of previous environmental studies of 14C releases from CANDU, PWR and BWR reactors.
See more of Biogeochemistry and Environmental Geochemistry II
See more of The 10th International Conference on Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (September 5-10, 2005)