The two networks currently in operation combine a total of some one thousand environmental radiation measurement stations located throughout the country that enable the measurement of radiation levels in the air, in rivers, along the coast, in the soil and in food products.
National Monitoring Network operated by the Nuclear Safety Council
The system comprises two separate monitoring networks: the Network of Automatic Stations (Spanish acronym: REA); and the Network of Sampling Stations (Spanish acronym: REM).
The Network of Automatic Stations (REA) consists of 25 automatic measurement stations fitted with instruments that are capable of constantly measuring radiological variables (gamma dose rate, radon concentration, radioiodes and alpha and beta emitters in the air) and meteorological variables (temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure and wind speed and direction).
Responsibility for the reception, management and analysis of these data falls on the Nuclear Safety Council [Spanish acronym: CSN], which also receives the data generated by the Civil Protection network.
The Network of Sampling Stations (REM) measures readings taken from samples (terrestrial and/or aquatic) for radiological analysis. This process is carried out by the CSN in collaboration with a series of Spanish research laboratories and institutions.
The REM is further divided into two complementary radiation measurement networks; the so-called "dense network" and the "dispersed network".
The dense network is formed by numerous sampling stations located throughout the country and the dispersed network is formed by a limited selection of sampling stations at which very highly-sensitive and specialised measurements are carried out.
These two networks are used to draft studies and reports for two programmes: the atmosphere and terrestrial environment monitoring programme; and the continental and coastal aquatic environment monitoring programme.
The atmosphere and terrestrial environment monitoring programme is aimed at measuring radioactivity in the soil, air, drinking water, milk and typical diet (basic food items). The CSN implements this programme through partnership agreements signed with 20 universities and research organisations located throughout Spain.
The continental and coastal aquatic environment monitoring programme is aimed at monitoring the radiological quality of river water in the various river basins, as well as sea water at various points along the coast. This programme is implemented by the Centre for Public Works Studies and Experimentation [Spanish acronym: CEDEX] in collaboration with the CSN.
Radioactivity Warning Network of the Directorate-General of Civil Protection
The Radioactivity Warning Network [Spanish acronym: RAR] operated by the Directorate-General of Civil Protection consists of 903 measuring stations located throughout the country fitted with technology capable of detecting any level of radioactivity in the environment above normal limits. The data gathered at these stations are sent to the Nuclear Safety Council, which is the body responsible for assessing and handling the data.