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Section 7.1．Introduction


The emphasis of environmental radiation monitoring is on the three major exposure pathways, namely the atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic pathways. Apart from measuring the ambient radiation levels in Hong Kong, environmental and food samples are also collected. The radioactivity of these samples is then measured in the Radiation Laboratory.
Collection points of environmental samples
Collection points of environmental samples

Section 7.2．Sample collection

Atmospheric Samples
Collected atmospheric samples include airborne particulates, total deposition, gaseous iodine and water vapour.
airborne particulates
gaseous iodine
total deposition
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Section 7.2．Sample collection

Land soil and sediments Land soil and inter-tidal sediments samples are collected from two layers, with the upper layer extending from the land surface to 15 cm depth, and the lower layer extending from 15 to 30 cm below the land surface. In addition, seabed sediment samples are collected at four sampling locations in Hong Kong waters.
Land soil


Food samples Terrestrial and aquatic food samples for daily consumption are collected from main distribution points, wholesale markets and suppliers.
Food samples


Section 7.2．Sample collection

Water samples
Raw water (untreated) and treated drinking water, as well as underground water samples are all collected for radiological measurements.
Sea water samples are collected at three depths: the upper level (2.5 metres below the sea surface), the middle level (equidistant from the sea surface and the seabed) and the lower level (2.5 metres above the seabed). Suspended particulates in sea water are collected by filtering the sea water samples through a membrane filter.
Water samples

Section 7.3．Sample analysis

King's Park Radiation Laboratory
King's Park Radiation Laboratory

The Hong Kong Observatory's Radiation Laboratory at King's Park has four major types of equipment for the accurate measurements of radionuclides in samples. They are Gamma Spectrometry System, Liquid Scintillation Counting System, Alpha Spectrometry System and Low Level Alpha-Beta Counting System.

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