Tritium concentrations in precipitation in Shanghai

Tritium concentrations in precipitation can be used as a criterion to evaluate the tritium baseline of the environment. The tritium concentration in precipitation in Shanghai during 2014–2015 was determined. Values ranged from 0.68 ± 0.04 to 4.11 ± 0.39 Bq/L, and it showed a decreasing trend compared with historical data; however, the values were slightly higher than the natural background tritium level. Additionally, the tritium concentration shows a seasonal variation: It was higher in autumn and winter and lower in summer and spring. A comparison of concentrations in precipitation in Shanghai and around the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant reveals no correlation, implying that the nuclear power plant operations may not affect the environment of Shanghai. Thus, the raised tritium concentrations in Shanghai might be due to the effects of monsoons, spring leak, raindrop, or other activities that generate tritium there. Those activities may include chemistry research that uses tritium as a tracer.