Evolution of Anthropogenic Radionuclides Concentrations on the site of RATEN ICN Pitesti (Romania) after 32 years from the Chernobyl Major Nuclear Accident

The world's electricity is largely supplied by nuclear power plants (NPPs), which brings significant advantages but also raises challenges, the possibility of a severe nuclear emergency being one of the most important drawbacks. This led to a pertinent statement that no nuclear power plant is 100% safe. The accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima NPPs are good examples demonstrating that despite precautionary measures, there is no zero risk associated with the operation of NPPs. The objective of this study was to present the evolution of anthropogenic radionuclides resulting from a major nuclear accident, specifically the Chernobyl nuclear accident, where the radionuclide of interest was Cs-137. Keeping this objective in mind, soil and vegetation samples were collected, prepared and measured from 5 external sampling points around the site of the Institute for Nuclear Research (RATEN ICN Pitesti, Romania).The evolution of activity concentrations of Cs-137, in both soil and vegetation samples, has been graphically represented for monitoring locations during the period 2018-2023. For the soil samples, Cs-137 concentration average values measured in the Laboratory of Radioprotection, Environmental Protection, Civil Protection and Medical Analysis at RATEN ICN Pitesti were graphed against the national average values of Cs-137 concentration reported by the National Environmental Protection Agency. A comparison against previous reported Cs-137 activities measurements carried out in the period 1991-2013 on the ICN Pitesti site was also performed. For the determination of Cs-137 activities, measurements were conducted by gamma spectroscopy using an HPGe detection equipment. Cs-137 activities in soil and vegetation will continue to be monitored on the ICN-FCN platform and will be periodically reported to the Arges Environmental Protection Agency, to be included in the annual reports of the National Environmental Protection Agency. (author).