ENVIRONMENTAL LEVELS OF RADIOCARBON IN LUND, SWEDEN, PRIOR TO THE START OF THE EUROPEAN SPALLATION SOURCE

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe European Spallation Source (ESS) is a neutron-based research facility under construction in Lund in southern Sweden. The spallation reactions will generate not only the desired neutrons, but also many radioactive by-products, including 14C. As part of the licensing process, and as recommended by the IAEA, various preoperational studies are being carried out, including mapping the “zero-point” radiation environment around the site. As the city of Lund hosts several facilities using 14C-labeled substances, and since temporary and local 14C contamination have been observed in the past, 14C mapping is an important part of these baseline assessments. We here present a summary of 14C levels in various terrestrial environmental samples in Lund and in southern Sweden during the years 2012 to 2020. These environmental F14C do not display significantly elevated levels compared to sites located remote from Lund. We also describe a local 14C contamination event that was detected at the Lund Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory in 2009. Horse-chestnut leaves collected close to the laboratory exhibited F14C values of up to ∼25% above the clean air background. Elevated values of F14C were also found in a short tree-ring series, especially in 2007. The source of this contamination was identified and successfully removed.