Radioactivity in surface water, 1980-2000

	Target value1)	1980	1990	1995	1998	1999	2000
	Bq/l
Rhine (Lobith)
Residual beta activity	<0.2	0.08	0.07	0.06	0.05	0.06	0.04
Tritium	<10	12.8	7.1	5.6	5.0	4.6	4.0
Alpha activity	<0.1	0.06	0.07	-	-	-	-
Meuse (Eijsden)
Residual beta activity	<0.2	0.1	0.05	0.02	0.04	0.04	0.02
Tritium	<10	22.1	32	4.8	10.5	18.1	14.7
Alpha activity	<0.1	0.06	0.03	-	-	-	-
Westerschelde (on Belgian border)
Residual beta activity	<0.2	0.2	0.15	0.07	0.08	0.08	0.07
Tritium	<10	8.9	14.5	8.5	9.9	12.3	6.3
Alpha activity	<0.1	0.27	0.21	-	-	-	-
Source: RIZA						RIVM/EDC/Oct02
1) Target value for surface water (V&W, 1999).

Developments in radioactivity in surface water

Discharges by nuclear power plants and the processing industry are the main human sources of radioactivity in surface water. Since 1980, most activity values in surface water have fallen. Most values now fluctuate below or around the target value.

Relevance

The monitoring of radioactivity in the surface water fits in with the Dutch government policy. This is geared specifically to limiting as much as possible additional radiation and the associated health risks, such as cancer.

Technical note

The Institute for Inland Water Management and Wastewater Treatment (RIZA) conducts measurement programmes systematically for determining radioactivity in surface water. The table includes the measurement results for tritium (hydrogen-3), the total activity of alpha emitters and residual beta activity. This is the total beta activity, less the activity of potassium-40, that is naturally present in surface water.

References

• Jacobs, J.E.M. (2001). Monitoring of radiation in the environment. Results in the Netherlands in 1999. RIVM (report 610 056 046), Bilthoven.
• Knetsch, G.J. (2002). Monitoring of radiation in the environment. Results in the Netherlands in 2000. RIVM (report 610 056 047), Bilthoven.
• V&W (1999). Fourth Water Management Policy Document. Ministry of Transport and Public Works, The Hague.

Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium

• Radiation: introduction
• Guide to 'Impact on public health' section
• Radioactive substances, emissions by Dutch nuclear power plants, 1975-2001
• Radioactive substances: emissions into ambient air and water by the processing industry in the Netherlands, 1994-2000
• Radiation dose from artificial radioactive substances, 1960-2000