Monitoring ground-level air for trace analysis: methods and results

Abstract

Trace analysis enables the sensitive detection of radionuclide concentrations in ground-level air in the range of microbecquerel per cubic meter (microBq m(-3)). Typical sampling intervals of less than one day up to a few days can be used in routine operation. Trace analysis measurements are performed in the framework of the German Integrated Measuring and Information system (IMIS) and the International Monitoring System (IMS) used for verification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Within the environmental monitoring programmes of the German IMIS the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) performs measurements of aerosol-bound radionuclides and of radioactive noble gases in the atmosphere. Aerosols are collected on filters with high-volume air samplers and analysed by gamma-spectrometry, alpha-spectrometry, and integral measurements of beta-activity, with preceding radiochemical separation. Noble gas samples from 15 sites world-wide are analysed to observe the (85)Kr-release from nuclear fuel reprocessing plants and from seven sites in Germany to monitor the (133)Xe emitted from nuclear power plants. As part of the International Monitoring System (IMS) of the CTBT an automatic aerosol sampling and measuring system and an automatic noble gas sampling and measuring system will be operated by the BfS at Mount Schauinsland near Freiburg. Because of its expertise in noble gas measurements the BfS had been chosen to perform an intercomparison experiment in the BfS laboratory in Freiburg with several automatic noble gas sampling and measurement systems before their installation at IMS sites. To establish quality-assurance programmes for trace analysis performed for the German IMIS close collaboration between the involved German institutions has been established. First steps have been taken to expand cooperation to other European laboratories. Informal data exchange already occurs between trace-analysis laboratories in Europe (Ring of Five) and helps in cases of enhanced activity concentrations to get a rapid overview of the radiological situation and to identify possible sources.

Detection of 133Xe from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in the upper troposphere above Germany

“…The Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (BfS) operates a station for monitoring the environmental radioactivity at the Schauinsland mountain in South-ern Germany. As Radionuclide Station 33 it is part of the International Monitoring Network (IMS) of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) [26,27] and a SPALAX noble gas system [28] is installed to monitor continuously the activity concentration of radioactive xenon in ground level air. It is based on fully automated sampling of large air samples, purification, concentration of xenon on activated carbon columns and detection by gamma ray spectroscopy with a high purity germanium detector.…”

Evaluation Of Covert Plutonium Production From Unconventional Uranium Sources

“…The off-site detection of noble gases released during undeclared reprocessing activities is dependent on the distance between the detector and the reprocessing instillation, rate of reprocessing, spent fuel characteristics, and environmental factors including the weather and background radiation [22][23][24]. If a reprocessing facility is located in an area that experiences rapid fluctuations in the atmospheric concentration of the noble gas isotopes being measured, then the lower level of detection might be above the concentration resulting from the reprocessing activities [25]. The simplest way to avoid detection would be to site the facility in a sufficiently remote location such that any released plume would be too dilute to detect.…”

Three years of operational experience from Schauinsland CTBT monitoring station

“…Weekly average values of 7 Be activity concentrations measured with the RASA were calculated and compared to the results of a weekly sampler (P5) operated at the same station with an air flow of approximately 500 m 3 /h (Bieringer and Schlosser, 2004). The filter is comprised of a polypropylene filter and a glass fibre backup filter, a combination that achieves almost 100% collection efficiency.…”