Radioactivity of the deposition
Analysing deposition samples provides information on the quantities of radioactive materials in different parts of the country and forms the basis for reports and studies on the migration of radioactive materials in the soil and water environment.
Collection of samples
Deposition samples are taken on a continuous basis in eight localities. The collection period for deposition samples is typically one month. Deposition samples are collected with a stainless-steel instrument with a collection area of 0.07 m². The instrument is not able to differentiate between wet deposition caused by rainfall and dry deposition, and measures them as a total. To facilitate samples during winter months, the instruments are fitted with heat resistance to keep the samples unfrozen and to ensure that all snow collected in the collection container is included in the sample.
Analysis of samples
Usually, the volume of deposition samples is reduced by evaporation prior to analysis. This helps to detect even the lowest concentrations of radioactive materials. The evaporation residue is placed in a small container and analysed for gamma radiation-emitting radioactive substances, such as cesium-137, with a gamma spectrometer. In addition, samples can be analysed for beta or alpha emitters, such as strontium-90 and plutonium, that require radiochemical detection. Furthermore, rainwater samples taken from two localities are analysed for tritium concentrations.
Measurement data
STUK publishes the measurement data once the analysis has been completed.
Deposition of radioactive materials in eight localities in 2022
The tables shows quarterly totals of cesium-137 depositions in different localities. For strontium-90, the samples are combined annually according to location. The data are presented in becquerels per square metre (Bq/m2). The deposition sampler at Helsinki was relocated to Vantaa in March 2022.
| City | 137Cs (Bq/m2) | 90Sr (Bq/m2) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar 2022 | Apr–Jun 2022 | Jul–Sep 2022 | Oct–Dec 2022 | Jan–Dec 2022 | |
| Helsinki | 0,06 | - | - | - | - |
| Imatra | 1,4 | 0,3 | 0,2 | 0,17 | |
| Ivalo | <0,1 | 0,14 | 0,11 | <0,1 | |
| Kajaani | <0,2 | 0,18* | 0,2 | 0,09 | |
| Kotka | 0,3 | 0,4 | 0,4 | 0,3 | |
| Kuopio | 0,12 | 0,3 | 0,12 | 0,10 | |
| Rovaniemi | 0,10 | 0,10 | <0,09 | 0,07 | |
| Sodankylä | <0,2 | <0,1 | <0,06 | 0,10 | |
| Vantaa | - | 0,09 | 0,11 | 0,10 | |
*Sampling period 2 months.
Deposition of radioactive materials in eight localities in 2021
The tables shows quarterly totals of cesium-137 depositions in different localities. For strontium-90, the samples are combined annually according to location. The data are presented in becquerels per square metre (Bq/m2).
| City | 137Cs (Bq/m2) | 90Sr (Bq/m2) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar 2021 | Apr–Jun 2021 | Jul–Sep 2021 | Oct–Dec 2021 | Jan–Dec 2021 | |
| Helsinki | <0,1 | 0,5 | 0,07 | 0,11 | 0,07 |
| Imatra | 0,3 | 0,5 | 0,17 | 0,20 | 0,68 |
| Ivalo | - | 0,06 | <0,06 | <0,1 | 0,06* |
| Kajaani | <0,09 | 0,17 | 0,4 | <0,2 | 0,25 |
| Kotka | 0,2 | 0,9 | 0,4 | 0,3 | 0,14 |
| Kuopio | <0,2 | 0,4 | <0,1 | <0,2 | 0,06 |
| Rovaniemi | <0,1 | <0,08 | <0,06 | <0,2 | 0,07 |
| Sodankylä | <0,09 | 0,16 | <0,09 | <0,2 | <0,06 |
*Sampling period 9 months (Apr-Dec 2021)
Tritium concentrations in rainwater samples in 2022
The tritium concentrations in rainwater samples were small in 2022. The activity concentrations of tritium were between 1-3 Bq/l or below the detection limit.
|
Reference date |
Vantaa |
Helsinki |
Rovaniemi |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21.1.2022 | - | <1,1 | <1,1 |
| 21.2.2022 | - | <1,1 | <1,1 |
| 15.3.2022 | - | <1,0 | <1,0 |
| 17.4.2022 | 1,7 | - | 1,6 |
| 19.5.2022 | 2,4 | - | 2,3 |
| 20.6.2022 | 1,6 | - | <1,0 |
| 18.7.2022 | <1,1 | - | <1,1 |
| 18.8.2022 | 1,6 | - | 1,5 |
| 19.9.2022 | <1,1 | - | <1,1 |
| 20.10.2022 | <1,1 | - | <1,1 |
| - | |||
| - |
Tritium concentrations in rainwater samples in 2021
The tritium concentrations in rainwater samples were small in 2021. The activity concentrations of tritium were between 1-2 Bq/l or below the detection limit.
|
Reference date |
Helsinki |
Rovaniemi |
|---|---|---|
| 18.1.2021 | 1,1 | 1,2 |
| 15.2.2021 | 1,4 | <1,0 |
| 19.3.2021 | 1,3 | 1,0 |
| 20.4.2021 | <1,0 | <1,0 |
| 21.5.2021 | 1,6 | 1,7 |
| 21.6.2021 | 1,9 | 1,3 |
| 19.7.2021 | 2,0 | 1,2 |
| 20.8.2021 | 1,5 | 1,3 |
| 20.9.2021 | 1,2 | 1,1 |
| 18.10.2021 | <1,0 | <1,0 |
| 19.11.2021 | <1,0 | <1,0 |
| 21.12.2021 | <1,0 | 1,4 |
Cesium-137 and strontium-90 depositions
Radioactive materials identified in depositions preceding 1986 originate from the fallout resulting from nuclear weapon testing performed in the atmosphere. Measurements from this type of fallout typically vary between the different seasons of the years. The Cs-137 and Sr-90 detected from post-1986 depositions mainly originate from the explosion at the Chernobyl power plant. The radioactive materials carried by fallout migrate locally, with a small portion of them re-entering the atmosphere.
Cesium-137 and strontium-90 depositions in the Helsinki region from 1960 to 2021. The peaks in 1960s–1980s are due to nuclear tests performed in the atmosphere and the fallout caused by the Chernobyl accident in 1986.
Cesium-137 and strontium-90 depositions in Rovaniemi from 1972 to 2021.
What is a deposition?
Deposition refers to radioactive materials that have fallen to the ground or water from air. Deposition may come with rain (wet deposition) or as dry deposition. You can find more information on the “Radiation in the environment” webpages:
Contact
-
Mattila Aleksi
Head of Laboratory / YSV tel. +358 975 988 437
-
Turunen Jani
Senior Inspector / YSV tel. +358 975 988 440