Environmental Monitoring

Radioecological monitoring

The environment protection control is carried out through a number of measures related to the environment monitoring; monitoring of the NPP releases in the atmosphere and the hydrosphere; processing and storing of radioactive and conventional waste. The continuous radiation monitoring in the 3 km zone is performed by the plant Automated Information System that is integrated in the analogical National System.

Samples from air, soil, vegetation, the Danube river and drinking water sources are taken and analyzed in the 100 km control area around Kozloduy NPP, the radiation gamma background is measured as well.

Monitoring

The radiological indicators of the ecological components are within the typical for the region range of values.

Own non-radiation monitoring of emissions in waters and air

Pursuant to the permits issued to Kozloduy NPP PLC, in accordance with the Waters Act, the ground and surface waters, and the waste water discharges from the nuclear power plant are subject to own non-radiation monitoring. The latter includes measurements of the quantities, plus laboratory analyses (tests) of the major ecological components, performed by accredited laboratories.
Additionally to the mandatory own non-radiation monitoring, the site waste and ground waters undergo in-plant monitoring at the Kozloduy NPP chemical laboratories, the purpose of which is to complement the obligatory monitoring over the months when such compulsory analyses have not been scheduled. 

The surface waters from the Danube are monitored at 1 dedicated points, while there are 5 monitoring points for the waste waters from KNPP. Sampling of ground waters is performed at the available 8 wells for obtaining of ground water, and the 17 sampling boreholes on the KNPP site. 
Each year about 500 water samples are collected and more than 2000 analyses performed, the results of which show no rising trend in the monitored parameter values. Among the more significant waste water parameters monitored are the “active reaction”, “undissolved substances”, “oil products”, “chlorine ions”, “total nitrogen”, “detergents”, etc. As regards ground waters, the monitoring includes “active reaction”, “electrical conductivity”, “total hardness”, and the “salts content” (ammonium salts, nitrates, nitrites, sulphates, phosphates, etc.), and metals (boron, iron, manganese, cadmium, lead, mercury, etc.).
Pursuant to the greenhouse gas emissions permit issued to Kozloduy NPP by the Ministry of Environment and Waters, own monitoring is performed of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions to air at the time of periodic testing of the safety systems’ diesel generators. The emissions are calculated on a quarterly and annual bases, and are reported in the National Register of Greenhouse Gas Emission Quotas. The Kozloduy NPP annual emissions of CO₂ are approximately 450 tones.