Actinides measurements on environmental samples of the Garigliano Nuclear Power Plant (Italy) during the decommissioning phase

TL;DR

This study assesses the environmental radiological impact of the Garigliano Nuclear Power Plant's decommissioning by measuring actinides and gamma-emitter radionuclides, finding no contamination attributable to the plant itself.

Contribution

It provides updated, sensitive measurements of actinides in environmental samples using AMS, distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic sources during decommissioning.

Findings

No contamination from the NPP detected

Radionuclide distribution mapped geographically

Anthropogenic isotopes mainly from atmospheric fallout

Abstract

An environmental survey was carried out in order to provide an adequate and updated assessment of the radiological impact that the decommissioning operations of the Garigliano NNP may have procured to the environment of the surrounding area. Some isotopes of uranium (235U, 236U, 238U) and plutonium (239Pu, 240Pu) and some {\gamma}-emitter radionuclides (60Co, 137Cs and 40K,) were measured to quantify the possible contamination and identify the origin source. Actinides isotopes were measured with the AMS technique that is able to detect elements in traces and reach sensitivity that cannot be obtained with other methods. The results show that the anthropogenic component is essentially due to the atmospheric fallout and no contamination can be charged to the NPP. Data are represented in geo-referenced maps to highlight the distribution area and some particular aspects of each measured radionuclide.