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Validation of a method for measurement of 14C in air and its application for estimation of 14C levels around Tarapur nuclear site

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Abstract

A method for the determination of 14C in air was validated with 4 N NaOH solution as absorbent medium. The chemical yield of the whole analytical process of precipitation of BaCO3 and re-absorption of released CO2 on acidification was determined by 14C spike experiments. A mean analytical recovery of 84.2% with a standard deviation of 7.21% was achieved. The propagated relative uncertainty of the method was 11.9%. The application of the method for routine monitoring around a nuclear facility was demonstrated through extensive air sampling in the vicinity of Tarapur Atomic Power Station, India. The 14C specific activity ranged between < 0.25 and 0.39 Bq g−1 C with a 5 year mean of 0.28 Bq g−1 C.

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Acknowledgements

Authors gratefully acknowledge the facility provided by the Station Management, Tarapur Atomic Power Station, Tarapur Maharashtra Site for conducting the study. Authors are also grateful to all staff members of ESL, TAPS for their support during sampling and experiments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Survey Laboratory, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Division, BARC, TAPS Colony, TAPP (P.O.), 401504, Palghar (Dt.), Maharashtra, India

    A. Baburajan, S. S. Dalvi, V. Sudheendran & V. K. Varakhedkar

  2. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400 085, India

    I. V. Saradhi

  3. Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER), Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Mangalore, Karnataka, 574199, India

    P. M. Ravi & N. Karunakara

Authors
  1. A. Baburajan
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  2. S. S. Dalvi
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  3. V. Sudheendran
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  4. V. K. Varakhedkar
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  5. I. V. Saradhi
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  6. P. M. Ravi
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  7. N. Karunakara
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Correspondence to A. Baburajan.

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Baburajan, A., Dalvi, S.S., Sudheendran, V. et al. Validation of a method for measurement of 14C in air and its application for estimation of 14C levels around Tarapur nuclear site. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 324, 551–559 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07118-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07118-4

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