C.A.R.O.L. project - Camargue Rhone Languedoc final report

This report had for objective to study the dispersion of artificial radionuclides in the low Rhone valley, then to identify and to quantify the principal flux or transfers that have lead to this distribution. Atmospheric nuclear tests fallout, Chernobylsk fallout nuclear facilities in the Rhone valley are such possible sources of radionuclides in this area. The study of the origin of the cesium 137 present in soils has lead to quantify the relationship between the deposits consecutive to Chernobylsk accident and the rains of the first week of may 1986. This study has been the first step to the elaboration of a mapping of cesium 137 deposit, in the east of France in a first time then all over the France. it is the superimposition of this map with this one of atmospheric nuclear tests fallout that allows today to answer to the question of cesium 137 activity in some French areas. An other application has been the answer relative to the nuclear fallout of Chernobylsk in Corsica.. Equally, this study has allowed to answer to the questions about the quality of wine in the Rhone valley and the situation of plutonium in the flooded region of Camargue. (N.C.)