@misc{9242213,
  abstract     = {{14C is a radioactive nuclide which is produced in moderator water in nuclear power plants and small amounts are emitted in both gas and liquid forms. Currently, at Ringhals nuclear power plant (NPP) the liquid emissions of 14C are not being monitored since the methods required are difficult and expensive, and the amount of discharges have so far been considered to be minor. However, increased levels of 14C have been measured, by Lund University, in the marine environment around Ringhals. Previous studies by Lund University have focused on other marine biota, such as bladder wrack while less 14C data have been collected in fish. One aim of this thesis is to obtain further data on the concentration of 14C in various fish species collected in water around Ringhals NPP, and to compare these data to previously analyzed data in bladder wrack. Samples from 2014-2024 of both yellow eel and corkwing wrasse were received from Ringhals regular environmental program. The results showed that both species of fish continuously had higher levels of 14C compared to bladder wrack. The second aim of the thesis was to perform a pilot study about possible differences in 14C concentrations across various organs. Differences in concentrations could provide information about the organic chemical forms of dissolved 14C that is released from Ringhals NPP and how they are absorbed by the fish. The liver, stomach, fillet and skin were analyzed from both a European plaice captured close to Ringhals, and a turbot captured in Skagerrak, which was used as a reference. All measurements of 14C were done using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). The reference fish showed no difference in 14C across the organs and it showed generally lower concentrations than the bladder wrack sampled in Särdal that was also used as a reference. The skin, fillet and liver in the European plaice showed no statistical differences in 14C, but were on average 3.7% higher than the levels measured in the turbot (excluding the stomach sample of the European plaice). The European plaice showed increased levels in the stomach, which contained a recently ingested fish. To draw any conclusions about the chemical speciations of organic carbon, and how it is absorbed by fish, more fish samples need to be measured. When including the stomach sample of the European plaice, the levels of 14C were on average 10% higher in the European plaice.}},
  author       = {{Kallio Bergman, Mi}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Carbon-14 levels in fish around Ringhals nuclear power plant}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}