Post-Chernobyl accident radioactivity measurements in the comunidad Autonoma de Valencia, Spain

Abstract

Increased atmospheric radioactivity after the accident in Chernobyl was first detected on air filters. Measurements were begun in Valencia on May 2, 1986, with the maximum activity being observed around May 3–4, 1986. As a consequence of this accident, annual campaigns of measurements on migrating birds (several species of aquatic birds and song-thrushes) were started. The data corresponding to the campaign immediately after the accident (1986/87) show a generalized contamination (approximately 50% of the measured specimens). Significant levels of ¹³⁴Cs, ¹³⁷Cs and ¹¹⁰Ag^m were found. It is important to note that ¹¹⁰Ag^m is only present in Aythya ferina. In the successive campaigns in 1988/89 and 1989/91 few samples were found to be contaminated and only ¹³⁷Cs was identified. Strontium-90 was measured and identified in some specimens, mainly in their bones.