Off-site environmental monitoring for radiological safety

Measurements of radioactivity in the environment for routine verification as well as in cases of emergency are very important for nuclear environmental safeguards. Radiological safety activities of Cekmece Nuclear Research and Training Center are provided as a part of the national program. Air samples from the environment were collected by the method of pumping air through the air filter for 1-day sampling to provide data on airborne activity concentration. Measurements were done daily. Total alpha/beta radioactivity concentrations and gamma/beta dose rates at sample locations are measured. Air radioactivity concentrations are given. Water samples were taken monthly from Kucukcekmece Lake, the Marmara Sea and tap water and the radioactivity concentrations were evaluated with a Berthold gas proportional total alpha/beta counter. Annual average total alpha/beta radioactivity concentrations of environmental water samples are given in Table II. The concentrations of gamma emitters in air and water samples were determined by Canberra pure HPGe detectors with energies ranging from 50 keV to 2000 keV. The software was prepared to create the data bank and the data management system. The input data in the software covers the period of 01.01.2003- 01.02.2004