Enhanced activities of organically bound tritium in biota samples

• A survey of tritium occurrence was performed in the vicinity of NPP Dukovany.
• Elevated activities of NE-OBT were found in the surrounding of Mohelno reservoir.
• A combustion system was designed and applied for purpose of NE-OBT determination.

A pilot study aimed on possible occurrence of elevated activity of non-exchangable organically bound tritium (NE-OBT) in biota was performed. The first results showed a significant surplus of NE-OBT activity in biota of the valley of Mohelno reservoir and Jihlava river. The liquid releases of HTO from the nuclear power plant Dukovany is the source of tritium in this area. This area can be a source of various types of natural samples for future studies of tritium pathways.