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Initial background around Belarusian nuclear power plant measured
MINSK, 21 August (BelTA) – An international ecological expedition to measure the initial background in the area around the construction site of the Belarusian nuclear power plant in Ostrovets District, Grodno Oblast has finished its work, representatives of the state enterprise Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant told BelTA.
The expedition took place on 15-20 August. All the planned steps were taken. Gamma radiation was measured at over 200 sites around the perimeter of the Belarusian nuclear power plant and the river banks. Measurements were done on foot and by car in order to expand the measurement area.
Samples of air, water, soil, sediments, and vegetation were collected for lab tests. Two air filtration plants to collect samples of radioactive aerosols and gaseous radioactive iodine were placed in the observation point of the meteorological station Markuny. Samples were collected to determine the content of radioactive carbon and tritium in the air.
The background situation measurements can be most effectively used as part of systemic observation of the radioecological situation in the area. It is advisable to arrange another series of measurements with assistance of representatives of the general public after the physical launch of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, the Belarusian Energy Ministry believes.
The source added that the practical experience and results of the pre-launch measurements can be replicated at other nuclear facilities in various countries.
The Belarusian nuclear power plant is being built near Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast using a Russian design featuring two VVER-1200 reactors with the total output capacity of 2,400MW. The first power-generating unit is scheduled for commissioning in late 2019, with the second one to go online in 2020.
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