Abstract
Radiocarbon variations in the atmosphere have been observed at the Žlkovce monitoring station of the Bohunice nuclear power plant (NPP), situated only 5 km ESE from the NPP. The observed 14C levels provide unique evidence of a decreasing long-term impact of the Bohunice NPP on the region. Simultaneously, decreasing emissions of fossil fuel carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of the monitoring site have been found. The observed Δ14C variations with time have attenuating amplitudes and decreasing mean values, showing maxima in summer and minima in winter, the latter primarily caused by increased emission of fossil CO2 in winter months. Sporadic short-term releases of 14C from the Bohunice NPP were observed at the Žlkovce station. The annual atmospheric Δ14C variations compared with tree-ring data collected at the Žlkovce village show reasonable agreement. The observed Δ14C levels after 2005 are close to the European clean-air levels as measured at the Jungfraujoch (3450 m asl) monitoring station.
Published Version
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