Anthropogenic ¹³⁷Cs on atmospheric aerosols in Bratislava and around nuclear power plants in Slovakia

Highlights: • Resuspension processes control atmospheric ¹³⁷Cs concentrations around two nuclear power plants in Slovakia. • Increase in ¹³⁷Cs concentrations was recognized at both NPP sites during the Fukushima event. • ¹³⁷Cs levels observed in Kátlovce could be due to higher soil resuspension with possible contribution from decommissioning. - Abstract: Nuclear power plants (NPPs) have been one of the sources of anthropogenic radionuclides in the environment. This work combines the results from monitoring stations around NPPs in Slovakia (Mochovce and Jaslovské Bohunice) and academic measurements at the Comenius University campus in Bratislava. Most of the atmospheric ¹³⁷Cs in this region come from the resuspension of the Chernobyl-derived ¹³⁷Cs, as well as caesium produced during nuclear weapons testing. By comparison of the obtained results at NPPs with Bratislava data, radiation impacts of the NPPs on the local environments have been estimated to be negligible.