Open AccessOn-Line Monitoring of Radiocarbon Emissions in a Nuclear Facility with Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy
Author(s) -
Johannes Lehmuskoski,
Hannu Vasama,
Jussi Hämäläinen,
Jouni Hokkinen,
Teemu Kärkelä,
Katja Heiskanen,
Matti Reinikainen,
Satu Rautio,
Miska Hirvelä,
Guillaume Genoud
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
analytical chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.117
H-Index - 332
eISSN - 1520-6882
pISSN - 0003-2700
DOI - 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c03814
Subject(s) - radiocarbon dating , cavity ring down spectroscopy , chemistry , in situ , resolution (logic) , spectroscopy , carbon fibers , remote sensing , environmental science , materials science , geology , physics , organic chemistry , paleontology , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , composite number , computer science , composite material
There are currently no suitable methods for sensitive automated in situ monitoring of gaseous radiocarbon, one of the main sources of radioactive gas emissions from nuclear power plants. Here, we present a transportable instrument for in situ airborne radiocarbon detection based on mid-infrared cavity ring-down spectroscopy and report its performance in a 1-week field measurement at the Loviisa nuclear power plant. Radiocarbon is detected by measuring an absorption line of the 14 CO 2 molecule. The time resolution of the measurements is 45 min, significantly less than the few days' resolution of the currently used technique, while maintaining a comparable sensitivity. The method can also assess the prevalence of radiocarbon in different molecular species in the airborne emissions. The optical in situ monitoring presented is a completely new method for monitoring emissions from nuclear facilities.