Determination of chemical forms of 14C in liquid discharges from nuclear power plants

• Published in: Journal of environmental radioactivity Vol. 177; pp. 256 - 260
• Main Authors: Svetlik, I., Fejgl, M., Povinec, P.P., Kořínková, T., Tomášková, L., Pospíchal, J., Kurfiřt, M., Striegler, R., Kaufmanová, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2017
• Subjects: Analytical routines; Dissolved inorganic forms of 14C (DOC); Dissolved organic forms of 14C (DIC); Liquid releases; Nuclear power plant (NPP); Liquid releases; Nuclear power plant (NPP); Analytical routines; Dissolved organic forms of 14C (DIC); Dissolved inorganic forms of 14C (DOC)
• ISSN: 0265-931X; 1879-1700
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.07.002

Developments of radioanalytical methods for determination of radiocarbon in wastewaters from nuclear power plants (NPP) with pressurized light water reactors, which would distinguish between the dissolved organic and inorganic forms have been carried out. After preliminary tests, the method was used to process pilot samples from wastewater outlets from the Temelín and Dukovany NPPs (Czech Republic). The results of analysis of pilot water samples collected in 2015 indicate that the instantaneous 14C releases into the water streams would be about 7.10−5 (Temelín) and 4.10−6 (Dukovany) of the total quantity of the 14C liberated into the environment. •In the literature, there is a lack of data on 14C in liquid releases from NPPs with light water pressurised reactors.•We developed an method which allows the distinction between the dissolved inorganic and organic 14C in water samples.•This method is using a low-cost apparatus with circulation (to reach high yield of sample processing).•The pilot results of water grab samples analyses are also implemented.