Impact of the Nuclear power plant Temelín on concentration of selected radionuclides in the hydrosphere
Abstract
The paper presents results of long-term monitoring of occurrence and behaviour radionuclides 3H, 90Sr and 137Cs in the vicinity of the Temelin NPP. Concentrations of radionuclides were evaluated in surface water both affected and unaffected by waste water discharges from the Temelín NPP before and during the operation of the plant.
The assessment included residual contamination from atmospheric tests of nuclear weapons in the last century and the Chernobyl accident in 1986. Results of long-term monitoring (1990 - 2019) were used for derivation of effective ecological half-lives.
Possible impact of waste waters discharged from the Temelín NPP on concentrations in the Vltava River was assessed. A decline in 137Cs and 90Sr concentrations was observed in all of the monitored sites.
A very slow decline in 3H concentration at unaffected sites was observed. At sites downstream from the power plant the 3H concentrations were significantly higher, an evident impact of the power plant operation.