Impact of the Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant on atmospheric radiocarbon

Radiocarbon variations in the atmospheric CO2 have been observed at two localities in Slovakia (Bratislava and Zlkovce). Zlkovce is situated about 60 km NE from Bratislava, and only 5 km from the Bohunice Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). The observed Delta C-14 levels provide a unique evidence of the long-term impact of the Bohunice NPP on the Bratislava region, as well as on the decreased fossil fuel CO2 emissions. The radiation doses estimated to the local public have been around 3 mu Sv/year, 20% of the dose from global fallout C-14 present in the environment. (C) 2008 IAEA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.