Setting up regional radiation-environment monitoring systems for areas around nuclear plants

The authors study the problems of: the optimum relationship between the proportions of measurement facilities and simulation (forecasting) ones; reliability in estimating (observing) the state of a region, and thus the optimality for the monitoring point location; and monitoring soil, water, and the atmosphere and the relationship between these major environmental components. A figure shows the conceptual model for a regional computerized radiation-environment monitoring system in a zone near a group of nuclear power plants. Intelligent terminal suites are described which collect information on reactor working conditions and engineering monitoring data, as well as data on the flow rates, temperatures, activities, and spectral compositions of gas-aerosol discharges. They also collect metereological data from sensors within the power station area and information on the external dosimetry. The new system will provide improved environmental monitoring and provide an economic effect by substantially reducing manual operations in collecting, storing, and displaying the data.