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We undertook an environmental isotope investigation of groundwater from the Turonian Aquifer of Tadla Basin in Morocco in order to confirm that this aquifer could be a potential site for palaeoclimate reconstruction. The collected groundwater samples were examined for stable oxygen, hydrogen and carbon isotope ratio, as well as noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe), 14 C and 3 H concentration. The measured stable oxygen and hydrogen isotope values show that the Turonian aquifer has two recharge areas, one with a heavier isotopic signature from the unconfined aquifer in the northern region (the area of Boujad), while the other is characterised by lighter isotopic composition in the north-eastern to the south-western part of the basin (to the North from Kasba Tadla). The calculated noble-gas solubility temperatures of the confined part of the aquifer are 2 °C higher than the recent mean annual air temperature (19 °C). Radiocarbon ages obtained from running different versions of Ingerson-Pearson models indicated that the recharge of this water occurred during the Holocene. We conclude that the Turonian aquifer might be a potential place for Late-Pleistocene palaeoclimate reconstruction if the research area were extended in the direct of flow path towards the western part of the basin and towards the foothills of the Phosphates Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of diagenetic alteration of carbonate deposits in caves (speleothems) has gained increasing importance in recent years, as this process has serious consequences for speleothem-based paleoclimate studies. In this study stable hydrogen and oxygen isotope data of water trapped in fluid inclusions were collected for recently forming stalagmites and flowstones in order to determine how dripwater compositions are reflected and preserved in the inclusion water compositions. Hydrogen isotope compositions were found to reflect dripwater values, whereas the oxygen isotope data were increasingly shifted from the local dripwater compositions with the time elapsed after deposition. The δ 18 O data are correlated with X-Ray diffraction full width at half maximum values (related to crystal domain size and lattice strain), suggesting that the oxygen isotope shift is related to recrystallization of calcite. Transmission electron microscope analyses detected the presence of nanocrystalline (<50 nm) calcite, whose crystallization to coarser-grained calcite crystals (>200 nm) may have induced re-equilibration between the carbonate and the trapped inclusion water. The Ostwald ripening process provides an explanation for unexpectedly low oxygen isotope compositions in the inclusion water. The detected diagenetic alteration and its isotopic effects should be taken into consideration during sampling strategies and data evaluation as speleothems containing nanocrystalline calcite during their deposition are prone to late-stage oxygen isotope water-carbonate re-equilibration, which may shift the oxygen isotope composition of the inclusion water to more depleted values while the hydrogen isotope composition remains intact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to extend the utilization range of our sealed tube graphitization methods toward the microgram sample sizes on EnvironMICADAS accelerator mass spectrometer in the Institute for Nuclear Research of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hertelendi Laboratory of Environmental Studies (ATOMKI HLES). To accomplish this purpose both methods, which are routinely used in ATOMKI HLES (TiH 2 –Zn-method and Zn-method) have been tested in the range of 25–250 μg carbon content. To exclude the side effects caused by the possible contamination by the chemical pretreatment and combustion of small samples, all micro-graphite targets have been produced by splitting CO 2 gas from combusted samples containing 1 mg C and radiocarbon free fossil CO 2 without any chemical preparation. The result of the comparison was that the Zn-method produces lower blank levels in the range of 25–100 μg carbon content than the combined TiH 2 –Zn method. For this reason, the Zn-method has been used for further optimization of the parameters of graphitization of samples with 25 μg carbon content. Based on the executed tests the optimal graphitization parameters for 25 μg carbon content are 2.5 mg iron catalyst, 2.5 mg zinc reagent and 450 °C graphitization temperature. With these parameters 3.1 ± 0.1 pMC average background level can be reached (based on measurement of 12 Zn-method target) and the available precision for modern samples was 0.9–1.0% using EnvironMICADAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of delimitation between the South American Monsoon System (SAMS) and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) has led to problematic calibration of archives in paleoclimate studies, particularly in northern South America. We show for the first time recorded in a paleoclimate archive that the ITCZ is the primary controller of oxygen (δ18O TR) and carbon (δ13C TR) isotopes in Cedrela nebulosa tree-rings (1864–2018). In contrast, a monsoonal pattern is not observed at this latitude. Spatial correlations revealed that δ18O TR better reflects months of higher precipitation (Mar–Jun) in the western Amazon than local rainout processes at decadal time scale, owing to the strong convection in the basin at this time of the year. Similarly, this study identified cloud cover as a vital controller in sunshine duration, which influences the phenology of Cedrela nebulosa. We interpret the variability of the δ13C TR as an enhancement in the photosynthetic rate during light-increased months (Jul–Sep), strongly regulated by cloudiness reduction when the ITCZ rain band retreats to northwestern South America in austral winter. Overall, these results reveal that Cedrela nebulosa is well-adapted to wet environments, and its cellulose-based stable isotopic signals reflect the direct influence of the ITCZ excursions from austral autumn to winter (Mar–Sep) with minimal SAMS control. • Complete investigation of C. nebulosa employing O-18 and C-13 in tree-rings from 1864 to 2018 in the northwestern Amazon. • Tree growth is mainly controlled by March–September local temperatures regulated by the intra-annual insolation variability. • δ18O TR reflect the ITCZ passage during the wettest months (March–June) over the western Amazon. • δ13C TR reflect changes in the photosynthetic rate during light-increased months (July–September) with low cloudiness. • C. nebulosa is well-adapted to wet environments presenting one distinct season of lower precipitation during the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: According to the findings of a complex sedimentological, geochemical, malacological and pollen study implemented on a core sequence of an alkaline lake (Fehér Lake), interstadials in the SE Great Hungarian Plain were characterized by increased boreal woodland cover during Marine Isotope Stage 2 (MIS 2: 29,700–14,500 cal BP). These interstadials were dated to 26,420–27,970, 23,185–24,880, and 18,810–20,770 cal BP, and correlate well with the Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) interstadials 2 and 3 and the post LGM warm interval seen in the Greenland ice core oxygen isotope records. Intervening cold phases, on the other hand, were found between 24,880–26,420 and 20,770–23,185 cal BP, correlating with Heinrich event 2 and the LGM. These data overall confirm that millennial scale climate variability during Marine Isotope Stage 2 had profound effect on the terrestrial ecosystems in the continental interior of SE Europe, leading to periodic boreal woodland expansions and contractions and wildfires. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The goal of this paper is to refine the relative and absolute chronology of Epigravettian culture (26.5–15.0 ka) in eastern Central Europe (ECE) and clarify its relation to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and subsequent climatic changes. Epigravettian sites were sorted into three chronological clusters: initial LGM (ILGM) (26.5–24.0 ka), local LGM (LLGM) (24.0–20.0 ka), and post-LGM (PLGM) (20.0–14.7 ka). We obtained new radiocarbon dates from previously dated and undated sites, then analysed the lithic tool typology and faunal data to seek correlations between age and archaeological features. The lithic typology study did not find differences between ILGM and LLGM sites, but the tool type variance between LLGM and PLGM was significant, applicable for relative chronology. ILGM and LLGM lithic assemblages were characterized by domestic tool dominance and the frequent use of flake tools. PLGM assemblages were correlated with armature dominance and blade/let tools. Among the armatures, backed point variants characterized the PLGM sites compared to the ILGM and LLGM. The sole ILGM lithic armature was the retouched blade/let point. The LLGM also possessed this type and often included backed blade/lets. ILGM faunal data, although few, implied the hunting of mammoth and reindeer. The LLGM data represented recurring hunting of reindeer and horse, and PLGM data indicated the hunting of horse, reindeer, and mammoth. Our results suggested that the territory of Poland was deserted by humans in the LLGM. Moravia and Lower Austria was inhabited until the first half of the LLGM, while the Carpathian Basin was all along the ILGM. The preference for the Carpathian Basin could have been the milder climate, the abundance of fauna, and permanent access to tree vegetation. After the LGM the glacial flora and fauna gradually disappeared, leading to a reduced human presence in southern ECE. Thus, the disappearance of the Epigravettian culture and Pleistocene hunter-gatherer occupations are linked to the amelioration of climate that resulted in the disappearance of the Pleistocene environment. • Our data refined the absolute and relative chronologies of the Epigravettian. • Relative chronological keys are lithic armature and faunal evidence. • There was a lack of human population in Poland throughout the LGM. • The Carpathian Basin was the most densely populated territory in ECE during the LGM. • The withdraw of Pleistocene environment led to the disappearance of the Epigravettian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our study shows a one-year-long, monthly integrated continuous monitoring campaign of gaseous radiocarbon emission and ambient air compared with 4 event-like, weekly (168 h) atmospheric aerosol radiocarbon data in every season of 2019, at 4 locations (n = 16 aerosol sample) around the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, Hungary. The study shows the first aerosol radiocarbon results around a nuclear power plant measured by accelerator mass spectrometry in Hungary. There was no dominant contribution detected in the atmospheric CO 2 gas fraction, but we could detect excess radiocarbon in the total gaseous carbon fraction at almost every sampling point around the Paks Nuclear Power Plant. The highest Δ14C value in the total gaseous carbon form was 157.9 ± 4.6‰ in November and the highest Δ 14C value in the CO 2 fraction was 86.1 ± 4.0‰ in December during 2019. Observed 14C activity excess is not higher than previously published values around the Paks Nuclear Power plant at the same sampling points (Molnár et al., 2007; Varga et al., 2020). Our aerosol radiocarbon measurements show that there is no significant contribution from the nuclear power plant to the atmospheric PM 10 fraction. We could not detect a Δ 14C value higher than 0‰ in any season. The results show that the simple aerosol sampling, without pre-treatment of the filters, is appropriate for the measurement of excess radiocarbon at the vicinity of nuclear power plants. The applied preparation and measurement method can be applicable for detection of hot (14C) particles and early identification of radiocarbon emission from nuclear power plants in the PM 10 fraction. [Display omitted] • Gaseous radiocarbon emission was measured in the stack of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant. • Radiocarbon was measured in the atmospheric gases and PM 10 aerosol around the Paks Nuclear Power Plant. • The radiocarbon content of aerosol PM 10 fraction is not effected significantly by the nuclear power plant. • The simple aerosol radiocarbon measurement method can be used for early detection of 14C emission in the aerosol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic matter (SOM) is a combination of materials having different origin and with different stabilization and decomposition processes. To determine the different SOM pools and their turnover rates, a silt loam-textured Luvisol from West Hungary was taken from the 0–20 cm soil depth and incubated for 163 days. Maize residues were added to the soil in order to obtain natural 13C enrichment. Four different SOM fractions—particulate organic matter (POM), sand and stable aggregate (S + A), silt- plus clay-sized (s + c) and chemically resistant soil organic carbon (rSOC) fractions—were separated and analyzed using FT-IR, δ13C, and 14C measurements. The mean residence time (MRT) of the new C and the proportion of maize-derived C in the fractions were calculated. The POM fraction was found to be the most labile C pool, as shown by the easily decomposable chemical structures (e.g., aliphatic, O-alkyl, and polysaccharides), the highest proportion (11.7 ± 2.5%) of maize-derived C, and an MRT of 3.6 years. The results revealed that the most stable fraction was the rSOC fraction which had the smallest proportion of maize-derived C (0.18 ± 2.5%) and the highest MRT (250 years), while it was the only fraction with a negative value of Δ14C (−75.0 ± 2.4‰). Overall, the study confirmed the hypothesis that the SOM associated with finer-sized soil particles decomposes the least, highlighting the significance of the fractionation process for more accurate determination of the decomposition processes of SOM pools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies show that the elemental content of honey entirely depends on the botanical and geographical origin, but the information is incomplete regarding its time-dependent composition changes. Twenty-six acacia and three honey samples with unknown botanical origin were collected between 1958 and 2018 and analysed for elemental composition by Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (MP-AES). The elemental analysis was coupled with independent dating method by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) to confirm the calendar age of the honey samples and test the possibility of radiocarbon based dating of bee products, which has not been applied before. According to the analytical measurements and statistical analysis, we can conclude that the elemental composition shows change with time in the acacia honey during the last five decades. We have proven that honey preserves carbon isotopic and elemental information of its production time and thus can be applied as an environmental indicator (e.g. trace urban pollutants, precipitation, local industrial or agricultural emission) in reconstruction studies by analysing the non-degradable mineral content. Our results further show that acacia honey is a suitable material for radiocarbon dating, proved by the results compared to the atmospheric radiocarbon bomb-peak. The new approach presented for investigation of honey by radiocarbon-based age determination coupled with elemental analysis can be used in biological, dietary, archaeological or other multidisciplinary studies as well. Some samples show slightly depleted radiocarbon content. This could be an indication of local fossil CO 2 emission. Based on these depleted 14C results, honey could be used for atmospheric monitoring of fossil CO 2 urban or industrial hot-spots. Unlabelled Image • Radiocarbon dating of Hungarian honey samples • Multi-Element analysis of Hungarian honey samples, collected between 1958 and 2018 • Interaction between the May rainfall and the elemental content of honey samples • Multivariate statistical analysis was carried out on the elemental concentrations of the honeys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study radiocarbon levels at a clean air location in Slovakia with no significant local anthropogenic effects, we took tree ring samples from a tree in the vicinity of Jasná recreational area in the Low Tatras region in the central part of Slovakia. There are no significant local fossil fuel emission sources, so these samples represent a regional clean air background important for 14C studies in Slovakia and Central Europe. The growth rings from the sampled tree (European spruce, Picea abies) cover the period from 1911 to 2016. The first part of the data (1911–1952) represents natural radiocarbon levels influenced by Suess effect. The following period exhibits an increase in radiocarbon levels due to atmospheric nuclear weapons tests (Δ14C maximum of 850‰ in 1964), and then a gradual decrease characterized by an exponential trend with time constant of 14.3 ± 0.5 years. The Δ14C data from Jasná was used as a reference for comparison with two previously reported modern tree ring data sets from Slovakia. This comparison showed that radiocarbon levels at both locations are lower than clean air reference values, indicating the influence of local fossil fuel emissions. • Radiocarbon analysis of tree ring samples (1911–2016) from a clean air location in Slovakia. • Data from 1911-1952 represents natural radiocarbon levels influenced by increasing fossil carbon dioxide emissions. • Increase in radiocarbon levels due to atmospheric nuclear weapons tests. • Obtained results used as a clean air reference for comparison with other tree-ring series from Slovakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study, conducted in Debrecen, Hungary, aimed to analyse atmospheric particulate matter (APM or PM) through radiocarbon and PIXE analyses during the winter smog (23-25 January) and spring (15-18 May) seasons. The information presented in this pilot study aims to provide insight into the importance of utilising detailed characteristics of the mass size distributions of fossil carbon (f f ) and contemporary carbon (f C ) content. Additionally, it seeks to compare these characteristics with the size distributions of various elements to enable even more accurate PM source identification. In winter, APM concentrations were 86.27 μg/m 3 (total), 17.07 μg/m 3 (f C ) and 10.4 μg/m 3 (f f ). In spring, these values changed to 29.5 μg/m 3 , 2.64 μg/m 3 and 7.01 μg/m 3 , respectively. Notably, differences in mass size distribution patterns were observed between the two seasons, suggesting varied sources for contemporary carbon. Biomass burning emerged as a crucial source during the smog period, supported by similar MMAD (Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter) values and a strong correlation (r = 0.95, p < 0.01) between potassium and f C. In spring, a significant change in the concentration and distribution of f C occurred, with a broad, coarse mode and a less prominent accumulation mode. F f was found to have similar distributions as PM, with nearly the same MMADs, during both periods. Finally, a comprehensive comparison of modal characteristics identified specific sources for the various components, including biomass burning, vehicle exhaust, coal and oil combustion, vehicle non-exhaust, road dust, tyre abrasion, mineral dust and biogenic emission. This study showcases how using radiocarbon and PIXE analysis in size distribution data can enhance our understanding of the sources of PM and their effects on different size fractions of PM., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Trees and shrubs maintain carbon reserves to support their functions during periods when metabolic demand exceeds carbon supply, such as during the dormant season. To gain a better understanding of carbon storage and utilisation dynamics of eight woody plant species in temperate Central Europe, bud scale and leaf samples were collected to determine the radiocarbon age of fresh sprouts in trees and shrubs, at three background sites avoiding local emissions that may influence affect the observed 14 C/ 12 C ratio. The accelerator mass spectrometry-based bomb-radiocarbon approach, to determine the age of the mobilized carbon in the plant bud samples from storage, was complemented by stable carbon isotope measurements. The bomb-radiocarbon dating technique was used to determine the age of the samples, while a northern hemispheric atmosphere 14 CO 2 dataset was used to calibrate the radiocarbon ages of the plant samples. The youngest observed calibrated radiocarbon age of the buds was over 4 years, and the oldest was even 9 years old. There was no significant difference between the ages of bud scales and embryonal leaf laminas. Our results show that there is a considerable amount of stored older carbon in the woody stems that can be used to produce buds in spring, which is a complex mixture of stored carbon of different ages, but there is no relationship between the radiocarbon age and the stable carbon isotope composition. The observed results show that not only the tree species, but shrubs also can store and use significantly older carbon pools, the carbon storage intensity is similar for trees with trunks and short-stemmed shrubs branching directly above the ground, i.e. carbon storage starts in young twigs and continues in ageing branches., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Tamas Varga reports financial support was provided by State of Hungary. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

In this study, we report 21 ancient shotgun genomes from present-day Western Hungary, from previously understudied Late Copper Age Baden, and Bronze Age Somogyvár-Vinkovci, Kisapostag, and Encrusted Pottery archeological cultures (3,530-1,620 cal Bce). Our results indicate the presence of high steppe ancestry in the Somogyvár-Vinkovci culture. They were then replaced by the Kisapostag group, who exhibit an outstandingly high (up to ∼47%) Mesolithic hunter-gatherer ancestry, despite this component being thought to be highly diluted by the time of the Early Bronze Age. The Kisapostag population contributed the genetic basis for the succeeding community of the Encrusted Pottery culture. We also found an elevated hunter-gatherer component in a local Baden culture-associated individual, but no connections were proven to the Bronze Age individuals. The hunter-gatherer ancestry in Kisapostag is likely derived from two main sources, one from a Funnelbeaker or Globular Amphora culture-related population and one from a previously unrecognized source in Eastern Europe. We show that this ancestry not only appeared in various groups in Bronze Age Central Europe but also made contributions to Baltic populations. The social structure of Kisapostag and Encrusted Pottery cultures is patrilocal, similarly to most contemporaneous groups. Furthermore, we developed new methods and method standards for computational analyses of ancient DNA, implemented to our newly developed and freely available bioinformatic package. By analyzing clinical traits, we found carriers of aneuploidy and inheritable genetic diseases. Finally, based on genetic and anthropological data, we present here the first female facial reconstruction from the Bronze Age Carpathian Basin., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.)

Carbon cycle receives growing attention, in particular in connection with the climate change. Radiocarbon (14C) serves not only as the well-known basis of a dating technique but also as a tracer of the global carbon cycle, enabling one to assess the sizes of diverse compartments, fluxes between them and the related characteristic times. Mathematical modelling of the carbon cycle helps integrate the measurements, estimate the roles of underpinning processes and provide predictions, for instance on future CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere for various emission scenarios. We present a model based on a single-box atmosphere, ocean surface layer, one-dimensional diffusive ocean and two-box biota. We discuss its validation against measured data, predictions on future CO2 levels and interpretation of past events on the radiocarbon calibration curve., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Elephants are on the verge of extinction due to extensive poaching to obtain ivory and illegal income. According to international law, the trade in ivory of African elephants is outlawed, with a few exceptions, as for example in European Union for antique ivory obtained before 1947. There is basically only one physical method for determining the age of ivory and that is radiocarbon dating. The method uses artificially temporarily enhanced 14C content in the atmosphere to date relevant samples with high resolution. Since this advantage is slowly fading, the question arises of how to fill in the loss of the resolution. One possibility is exploiting the chronology of ivory. This work studies a whole elephant tusk and uses radiocarbon dating of samples obtained longitudinally and transversely from along the tusk to analyse the growth rate., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Atmospheric air samples were collected at 9 monitoring stations (A1 to A9) less than 2 km from the Paks Nuclear Power Plant (Paks NPP) and a background station (B24). The monthly integrated CO 2 and total carbon (CO 2 +hydrocarbons (C n H m )) samples were collected to determine the excess 14 C activity at the vicinity of the NPP. The measurements providing the 14 C/ 12 C ratio of the monthly integrated samples were carried out on a MICADAS type AMS at HEKAL. Due to the relatively low 14 CO 2 emission of PWR type Paks reactors and the local Suess effect, there was negligible excess 14 C activity at the investigated stations in the pure CO 2 fraction during the investigated 2 years period (2015-2016). On the contrary, there was a detectable (although minor) excess at every station in the C n H m fraction. In case of CO 2 , the average Δ 14 C excess was 3.8‰ and the highest measured value was 91.2‰ at the A3 station in February 2015. In case of C n H m , the average excess was 31.1‰ and the highest measured value was 319.1‰ at the A4 station in February 2016. We applied PC-CREAM 08 modelling to investigate the observed excess 14 C activity at the environmental sampling stations, which depends on the distance from the NPP and the meteorological conditions, such as wind direction and wind speed. Meteorology data was collected at the operating area of the Paks NPP in a meteorology tower. The direct C-14 emission through the 120 m high stacks was measured in the NPP by liquid scintillation counting. These emission data and our model calculations explain the excess activity in the C n H m fraction at the A4 station, which is located only 915 m far from the NPP's stacks in the prevailing wind direction. The excess activity at A3 station (the farthest unit) probably came from the nearby NPP wastewater discharge point. The recently observed average excess and highest excess data is similar to the published data in former studies (Molnár et al., 2007; Veres et al., 1995) on Paks NPP, the highest 14 CO 2 and 14 C n H m excess are just a little higher than it was in the earlier studies, but in these former studies, the A3 station was not equipped with a radiocarbon monitoring unit and the level of radiocarbon emission was almost invisible from the wastewater discharge point., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Impact of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP1) accident on tritium ( 3 H) and radiocarbon ( 14 C) levels in the water column of the western North Pacific Ocean in winter 2012 is evaluated and compared with radiocesium ( 134,137 Cs) data collected for the same region. Tritium concentrations in surface seawater, varying between 0.4 and 2.0 TU (47.2-236 Bq m -3 ), follow the Fukushima radiocesium trend, however, some differences in the vertical profiles were observed, namely in depths of 50-400 m. No correlation was visible in the case of 14 C, whose surface Δ 14 C levels raised from negative values (about -40‰) in the northern part of transect, to positive values (∼68‰) near the equator. Homogenously mixed 14 C levels in the subsurface layers were observed at all stations. Sixteen surface (from 30 in total) and 6 water profile (from 7) stations were affected by the Fukushima tritium. Surface and vertical profile data together with the calculated water column inventories indicate that the total amount of the FNPP1-derived tritium deposited to the western North Pacific Ocean was 0.7 ± 0.3 PBq. No clear impact of the Fukushima accident on 14 C levels in the western North Pacific was observed., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Püspökszilágy Radioactive Waste Treatment and Disposal Facility (RWTDF) is a typical near-surface engineered repository designated to store low- and intermediate-level wastes from various institutes, research facilities and hospitals in Hungary. Two automatic combined (14)C-tritium sampling units installed at the facility sample the air 2 m above surface. The one installed near the vaults detects tritium (T) activities two orders of magnitude higher than the far reference sampling unit. To localize the T emissions, 19 small absorption vapour samplers filled with silica gel were settled onto the ground surface. After the saturation of the silica gel, the water was recovered and its T concentration was measured with a low-background liquid scintillation counter. The absorption vapour samplers are cheap, simple and easy-to-use. We present the samplers and the T distribution map constructed from the data, which helps to localize the T emission.