Studies on tritium transport in the environment

It has been possible under the research project to deepen understanding of the radioecological behaviour of tritium. The load per unit area by tritium in precipitations can be described by the same model for rain and snow. The 'specific activity model' does not cover the development versus time of the tritium concentration in plants. On the other hand, median values of air, soil and plant moistures can be well compared with each other. The tritium fraction in organically bound hydrogen undergoes variations with time at a much lower rate than in tissue water. A quick exchange of tritium takes place between the tissue water of fish and the ambient water. The order of magnitude of tritium concentration in the combustion water of the organic substance corresponds to the three months averages of tritium concentration in the main canal. In the vicinity of the tritium exposed main canal tritium can be detected in the groundwater too. (orig./PW)