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Jefanova O, Baužienė I, Lujanienė G, Švedienė J, Raudonienė V, Bridžiuvienė D, Paškevičius A, Levinskaitė L, Žvirgždas J, Petrošius R, Skuratovič Ž, Mažeika J. Initiation of radioecological monitoring of forest soils and plants at the Lithuanian border region before the start of the Belarusian nuclear power plant operation. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2020; 192:666. [PMID: 33001295 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08638-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of the background activity concentrations of anthropogenic radionuclides before the start of operation of the new nuclear power plant in Belarus, BelNPP, is an issue of great importance for neighbouring countries. In this study, we provide the pilot characterisation of the Lithuanian part of the 30-km zone of the BelNPP, emphasising the forest plants, terrestrial mosses, forest organic and mineral topsoil to describe the preoperational radioecological state of the pine forest ecosystem. Key anthropogenic radionuclides (14C, 3H, 137Cs and 239,240Pu) were analysed. The 14C specific activity varied from 97.80 ± 1.30 to 102.40 ± 0.79 pMC. The 3H specific activity in the tissue-free water tritium form varied from 13.2 ± 2.2 TU to 20.8 ± 2.3 TU, which corresponded to the 3H level of precipitation in this region. The activity concentrations of 239,240Pu in soil and moss samples did not exceed 1 Bq/kg and were mainly due to global fallout after nuclear tests. The 137Cs inventory in the pine forest soils of the Lithuanian part of the BelNPP 30-km zone varied from 930 ± 70 to 1650 ± 430 Bq/m2. High variation of the inventory and uneven distribution in the soil profile conditioned a wide range of 137Сs activity in terrestrial plants from 1.0 ± 0.5 to 40.5 ± 1.8 Bq/kg dry weight. The abundance of microorganisms in different seasons and soil depths do not exceed the natural levels. According to PCA loads, the number of microorganisms and variability of 137Cs specific activity is determined by soil abiotic parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Jefanova
- Laboratory of Nuclear Geophysics and Radioecology, State Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Ieva Baužienė
- Laboratory of Geoenvironmental Research, State Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Galina Lujanienė
- Department of Environmental Research, State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Saulėtekio av. 3, 10257, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jurgita Švedienė
- Laboratory of Biodeterioration Research, State Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vita Raudonienė
- Laboratory of Biodeterioration Research, State Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Danguolė Bridžiuvienė
- Laboratory of Biodeterioration Research, State Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Algimantas Paškevičius
- Laboratory of Biodeterioration Research, State Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Loreta Levinskaitė
- Laboratory of Biodeterioration Research, State Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jonas Žvirgždas
- Laboratory of Biodeterioration Research, State Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rimantas Petrošius
- Laboratory of Nuclear Geophysics and Radioecology, State Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Žana Skuratovič
- Laboratory of Nuclear Geophysics and Radioecology, State Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jonas Mažeika
- Laboratory of Nuclear Geophysics and Radioecology, State Institute Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Nedveckaite T, Gudelis A, Vives i Batlle J. Impact assessment of ionizing radiation on human and non-human biota from the vicinity of a near-surface radioactive waste repository. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2013; 52:221-234. [PMID: 23377320 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-013-0459-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Accepted: 01/12/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This work describes the radiological assessment of the near-surface Maisiagala radioactive waste repository (Lithuania) over the period 2005-2012, with focus on water pathways and special emphasis on tritium. The study includes an assessment of the effect of post-closure upgrading, the durability of which is greater than 30 years. Both human and terrestrial non-human biota are considered, with local low-intensity forestry and small farms being the area of concern. The radiological exposure was evaluated using the RESRAD-OFFSITE, RESRAD-BIOTA and ERICA codes in combination with long-term data from a dedicated environmental monitoring programme. All measurements were performed at the Lithuanian Institute of Physics as part of this project. It is determined that, after repository upgrading, radiological exposure to humans are significantly lower than the human dose constraint of 0.2 mSv/year valid in the Republic of Lithuania. Likewise, for non-human biota, dose rates are below the ERICA/PROTECT screening levels. The potential annual effective inhalation dose that could be incurred by the highest-exposed human individual (which is due to tritiated water vapour airborne release over the most exposed area) does not exceed 0.1 μSv. Tritium-labelled drinking water appears to be the main pathway for human impact, representing about 83 % of the exposure. Annual committed effective dose (CED) values for members of the public consuming birch sap as medical practice are calculated to be several orders of magnitude below the CEDs for the same location associated with drinking of well water. The data presented here indicate that upper soil-layer samples may not provide a good indication of potential exposure to terrestrial deep-rooted trees, as demonstrated by an investigation of stratified (3)H in soil moisture, expressed on a wet soil mass basis, in an area with subsurface contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Nedveckaite
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Physics, Savanoriu Ave 231, 02300 Vilnius, Lithuania
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Gudelis A, Vinčiūnas A, Butkus P, Pranaitis M. Measurements of some radionuclides using a new TDCR system and an ultra low-level conventional LSC counter in CPST, Lithuania. Appl Radiat Isot 2012; 70:2204-8. [PMID: 22578994 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2012.02.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Beta-emitters (36)Cl and (63)Ni, and the electron capture radionuclide (55)Fe were used to calibrate a secondary standardization instrument Quantulus-1220(TM). An external standard technique was applied to assess the quenching level of samples. Nitromethane as an artificial quencher was used for sample preparation at different quenching levels. The dependence of the counting efficiency on the quenching level was determined. Samples of beta-emitters were re-measured with the triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) primary standardization instrument. The specific activities of beta-emitters were determined with the help of the software TDCRB-02 and compared with known values. It was found that for (36)Cl and (63)Ni the discrepancy was 0.9% and 2.7%, respectively, within the specified uncertainty limits. A new sample with (90)Sr was prepared and measured with the TDCR device. In this case, the divergence from the expected value was 1.7%. Results suggest the suitability of the TDCR techniques for low-level counting.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gudelis
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Institute of Physics, Ionizing Radiation Metrology Laboratory, Savanorių Ave. 231, LT-02300 Vilnius, Lithuania.
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Abstract
The Scientific Committee of the ICRM decided, for the 2011 Conference, to present laboratories that are at a key developmental stage in establishing, expanding or applying radionuclide metrology capabilities. The expansion of radionuclide metrology capabilities is crucial to meet evolving and emerging needs in health care, environmental monitoring, and nuclear energy. Five laboratories (from Greece, Lithuania, Indonesia, Norway and Turkey) agreed to participate. Each laboratory is briefly introduced, and examples of their capabilities and standardization activities are discussed.
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