Situation of the radioactivity of water, sediments and aquatic plants in the Rhone river and its tributaries (Ain, Saone, Isere). Study performed by the CRIIRAD laboratory within the frame of the 2007-2009 convention with the Rhone-Alpes Regional Council. Study report nr 10-140

The objective of this study was to perform an assessment of the situation of natural and artificial radioactivity in the Rhone river and in its main tributaries, and thus to control the contamination level of bio-accumulating environments such as sediments and aquatic plants, and to perform a point control of tritium activity in waters. Sampling locations have been selected in order to have an overview at the regional scale while taking liquid radioactive releases of nuclear installations and releases of waste water treatment plant of agglomerations having nuclear medicine departments into account. The report presents the studied documentation regarding liquid radioactive releases related to nuclear medicine and to base nuclear installations, and presents the sampling strategy, organisation and method. Results are then presented and discussed for tritium in waters, for sediments and aquatic plants (study of the presence of different natural and artificial radionuclides)