Radionuclides in deposition in the Ignalina NPP region in 2005

Abstract

Results of radionuclide activity concentration measurements in deposition and ground-level air conducted at the station of the Institute of Physics situated 3.5 km from the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (Ignalina NPP) in 2005 are analyzed. Atmospheric depositional fluxes of 7Be, 60Co and 137Cs are estimated. Radionuclide particle deposition rates are calculated. The Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model of the global dispersion and deposition is used to explain variations in the 137Cs activity concentration in the ground-level air in the Ignalina NPP region in 2005. An increase in the 137Cs activity concentration of up to 17.4 μBq m-3 on 30 October-5 November is studied. Modelling results show that the Chernobyl NPP Unit 4 Sarcophagus and the radiocaesium resuspension from the Chernobyl NPP accident polluted regions are sources of 137Cs to the environment of the Ignalina NPP. Results on solubility in water of aerosols - carriers of 137Cs - are discussed. © Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.