C-14 content in vegetation in the vicinities of Brazilian nuclear power reactors

• Abstract in UndeterminedC-14 specific activities were measured in grass samples collected around Brazilian nuclear power reactors. The specific activity values varied between 227 and 299 Bq/kg C. Except for two samples which showed C-14 specific activities 22% above background values, half of the samples showed background specific activities, and the other half had a C-14 excess of 1-18%. The highest specific activities were found close to the nuclear power plants and along the main wind directions (NE and NNE). The activity values were found to decrease with increasing distance from the reactors. The unexpectedly high C-14 excess values found in two samples were related to the local topography, which favors C-14 accumulation and limits the dispersion of the plume. The results indicate a clear C-14 anthropogenic signal within 5 km around the nuclear power plants which is most prominent along northeastwards, the prevailing wind direction.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

carbon-14

Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

vegetation

Brazil

environmental monitoring

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)