Radioecological Measurements in the Coal Power Plant Environment

Abstract

Radioecological measurements were carried out on the radioactive nuclides escaping from the stacks of coal-fired power plants (CPP) and dispersing into the environment, as most types of lignites burned contain radioactive nuclides, mostly of the uranium series. Different methods were used, such as low level counting, gamma ray spectroscopy, nuclear activation analysis and the delayed neutron technique, TL dosimetry, the solid state nuclear etched track detector technique, WL monitoring and air sampling. The Valley model for atmospheric dispersion of the escaping 226Ra was applied and a series of experimental measurements of this nuclide were carried out in the environment of CPPs for simulation. TLD measurements of the external exposure dose rate as well as radon concentration indoor measurements for a period of three years (1985-1987) are presented.