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Radiocarbon concentration in tree-ring samples collected in the south-west Slovakia (1974-2013).

I Kontuľ¹, M Ješkovský¹, J Kaizer¹

¹Centre for Nuclear and Accelerator Technologies (CENTA), Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, 842 48 Bratislava, Slovakia.

Applied Radiation and Isotopes : Including Data, Instrumentation and Methods for Use in Agriculture, Industry and Medicine

|December 19, 2016

Summary

Radiocarbon (¹⁴C) levels in tree rings near a nuclear power plant showed a decline due to fossil fuel emissions. After 1996, ¹⁴C levels improved, reflecting reduced industrial CO₂ output.

Keywords:

Atmospheric CO(2)Nuclear power plant Radiocarbon Tree rings

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Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO2 Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses

Measuring Carbon-based Contaminant Mineralization Using Combined CO2 Flux and Radiocarbon Analyses

Published on: October 21, 2016

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Radiocarbon Dating
Atmospheric Chemistry

Background:

Radiocarbon (¹⁴C) dating is crucial for environmental monitoring.
The Suess effect, a dilution of atmospheric ¹⁴C due to fossil fuel CO₂, impacts regional measurements.
Nuclear power plants can influence local atmospheric composition.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare radiocarbon levels in tree rings near the Jaslovské Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) with a reference station.
To analyze the impact of fossil fuel emissions and industrial changes on regional ¹⁴C concentrations.
To assess temporal trends in atmospheric ¹⁴C levels.

Main Methods:

Radiocarbon measurements of tree-ring samples from Vysoká pri Morave.
Comparison with tree-ring data from the Žlkovce monitoring station.
Analysis of ¹⁴C decay constants and comparison with Schauinsland clean air reference data.

Main Results:

Both Vysoká pri Morave and Žlkovce tree rings showed exponential decreases in ¹⁴C concentration.
The Suess effect was evident in both datasets due to fossil fuel CO₂ emissions.
Vysoká pri Morave ¹⁴C levels were lower than reference values until 1995, improving thereafter due to reduced industrial activity.

Conclusions:

Regional fossil fuel emissions significantly impacted local radiocarbon levels.
The closure of heavy industry post-1996 led to improved atmospheric ¹⁴C levels in the region.
Tree-ring radiocarbon analysis provides a reliable method for tracking long-term environmental changes and industrial impacts.