Assessing the impact of NPP tritium discharges on water bodies

Abstract

The sources of tritium production at NPPs are considered. The contemporary data on the tritium concentration in the rivers and reservoirs of Russia are presented. The Russian and foreign standards for the permissible tritium concentration in drinking water are compared. The forecast is computed of tritium concentration in a hypothetical river polluted with NPP discharges which meets the EUR tritium discharge requirements. It is demonstrated that tritium discharges from projected NPPs may reliably meet the requirements established by population exposure dose safety standards if general safety rules for tritium discharges to the environment are observed, the correct scheme of water body management is used, and the water use is reasonable.