Introduction to the sampling guide prepared under the NKS project FOREST: Sampling in forests for radionuclide analysis general and practical guidance

Guidance for sampling in forests for radionuclide analysis has been prepared for collecting samples of soil, soil solution, runoff water, fungi, understorey vegetation, trees, stand throughfall and litterfall. The guidance is based on standard, recommended or known, scientifically based sampling procedures. The motivation for preparing such a guide was the need for new data on radioactivity in forests to fulfill the requirements for environmental and dose assessments and modeling. Also, no project focusing on sampling methodology in forest ecosystems has earlier been carried out internationally within the Nordic Nuclear Safety Research (NKS) or the EC framework programmes. The guide emphasizes sampling practices applicable in various types of boreal forests, good description of sampling site, and documentation of the origin and details of individual samples. It includes separate chapters with guidelines on sampling in the compartments soil, soil solution and runoff, fungi, understorey and overstorey vegetation, throughfall and litterfall. In annexes some examples on regional sampling, various types of radioactivity studies and monitoring procedures are referenced. The report is based on recently published general guidelines, and expertise and practical experience of the involved organizations. (LN)