Environmental monitoring of atmospheric air in the vicinity of Rooppur NPP (People’s Republic of Bangladesh)
D.N. Kurbakov, R.A. Mikailova, A.V. Panov
Section: Monitoring of natural and anthropogenically disturbed areas
The paper presents environmental monitoring system for surface atmospheric air in the vicinity of the Rooppur NPP
in Bangladesh. A monitoring programme was developed. There were selected 3 observation points. Monitoring objects
(atmospheric air and precipitation), a list of observed parameters, observation regulations, as well as investigation methods, were identified. The controlled indicators included the radionuclide composition of surface air and precipitations,
involving natural (40K, 226Ra, 232Th) and artificial radionuclides (54Mn, 60Co 90Sr, 137Cs), the content of heavy metals (HM)
(Сd, Ni, Pd, As, Hg, Co, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Al, Fe), the gas composition of the air and the level of dust. The investigations
were carried out in 2014–2017 before and at the construction stage of NPP considering the climatic characteristics of
the region during different seasons. The results of monitoring studies showed the influence of the NPP construction on
changes in the content of HM and dust in the surface air and the absence of an increase in the content of radionuclides.
The concentration of Pb and Cd after the start of the NPP construction began to exceed current standards by 1.6–2.3
times, due to the operation of the equipment and dust formation. The specific activity of radionuclides in the air was
very low. The influence of climate on the dust content in the air during the year was also noted. The values varied from the minimum in the monsoon period (June-September) to the maximum in the dry period (December). Analysis of the gas
composition of the air revealed the presence of H2
S (average content 0.12 mg/m3
), as well as CO (0.57 mg/m3
) and NO2
(0.39 mg/m3
). The detected concentrations excepting single measurements of hydrogen sulfide are quite low and do not
pose a risk to human health.
Keywords: nuclear power plant, environmental monitoring, atmospheric air, radionuclides, heavy metals, chemical pollution
ISSN 1995-4301
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