RADIATION SITUATION AROUND THE FLOATING NUCLEAR THERMAL POWER PLANT “AKADEMIK LOMONOSOV” IN THE INITIAL PERIOD OF OPERATION

The article considers the issues of energy supply to remote sparsely populated Arctic regions of the Russian Federation through the construction of low-capacity nuclear power plants. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated by the successful commissioning in 2019 of a unique floating power plant in the town of Pevek (FNPP Akademik Lomonosov). At the same time, the operation of such facilities raises questions from the local population about possible radioactive contamination of the territory. The absence of a negative impact of FNPP can be confirmed by comparing the radiation characteristics before and after commissioning, as well as by direct measurements of the soil radionuclide composition in the zone of possible impact. To search for changes in the radioecological situation in 2021, screening studies were carried out at the plant location area. An analysis of the monitoring data for radioactive fallout and dose rate in Pevek showed that external exposure from the surface of soil and soil is due only to natural radionuclides of the decay chains of uranium, thorium and 40K. Artificial radionuclides characteristic of NPP emissions were not found in the surveyed areas. The range of values and maximum dose rate levels (µSv/h) before and after commissioning of the FNPP do not differ from each other and coincide with the results of the performed screening assessment of the radiation situation. The results were discussed with the residents of Pevek. The results of the study make it possible to inform the public about the absence of changes in the radiation situation at the FNPP location area in the first years of operation.

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