Model experiment for tritium balance of surface water reservoir including molecular exchange

A model experiment for tritium balance of 1000 l constant level reservoir in open air conditions was performed for eighty days in order to determine the contribution of molecular exchange between water and atmospheric moisture. Evaporation pan was situated in the same location and filled with the same tritium-spiked water. Results of calculating the contribution of molecular exchange to the overall decrease of tritium concentration in water reservoir show that the evaporation pan has very accurately measured the exchange factor. The method can be used and should be checked with a larger scale experiment aiming at the water balance of surface reservoir using artificial tritium. (author)