An overview of the transfer of radionuclides to farm animals and potential countermeasures of relevance to Fukushima releases.

• Title: An overview of the transfer of radionuclides to farm animals and potential countermeasures of relevance to Fukushima releases.

Author: Beresford, Nicholas A / Howard, Brenda J

Reference: Integrated environmental assessment and management, 7 (3), p.382-384, Jul 2011

doi: 10.1002/ieam.235                                             

Keywords:

Abstract: Initial information since the releases of radioactive materials from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, in Japan, shows that some animal food products are contaminated with 131I (mostly milk) and, to a lesser extent with 134Cs and 137Cs. Current knowledge on the transfer of these radioisotopes to animal products and available relevant countermeasures and management options to reduce radiation doses to humans are summarized. Much of this knowledge was obtained during the years of global fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests and the response to the Chernobyl accident, in Ukraine in 1986.

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21608114?dopt=Abstract

Vertical soil migration of radionuclide fallout from the Chernobyl’ accident

• Title: Vertical soil migration of radionuclide fallout from the Chernobyl’ accident

Author: Silant’ev, A. N. / Shkuratova, I. G. / Bobovnikova, Ts. I.

Reference: Soviet Atomic Energy, 66 (3), p.221-225, Mar 1989

doi: 10.1007/BF01123691                                             

Keywords:

Abstract:

URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF01123691

The comparison of generic model predictions with chernobyl fallout data on the transfer of radioiodine over the air-pasture-cow-milk pathway

• Title: The comparison of generic model predictions with chernobyl fallout data on the transfer of radioiodine over the air-pasture-cow-milk pathway

Author: Hoffman, F.Owen / Amaral, Eliana / Mohrbacher, Deborah A. / Deming, Elizabeth J.

Reference: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 8 (1), p.53-71, Jan 1988

doi:10.1016/0265-931X(88)90014-8Keywords:

Abstract: Data have been collected on concentrations of ¹³¹I in air, vegetation and milk from numerous locations receiving Chernobyl fallout. Time-integrated concentrations derived from these data are used to compare predictions from generic models used for routine environmental radiological assessments. In general, the models markedly overestimated the transfer of ¹³¹I over the air-grass-cow-milk pathway.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0265931X88900148

Mathematical modeling of radionuclide dispersion in the Pripyat-Dnieper aquatic system after the Chernobyl accident

• Title: Mathematical modeling of radionuclide dispersion in the Pripyat-Dnieper aquatic system after the Chernobyl accident

Author: Zheleznyak, Mark J. / Demchenko, Raisa I. / Khursin, Sergey L. / Kuzmenko, Yuri I. / Tkalich, Paul V. / Vitiuk, Nickolay Y.

Reference: Science of The Total Environment, 112 (1), p.89-114, Feb 1992

doi: 10.1016/0048-9697(92)90241-J

Keywords:

Abstract: The Chernobyl accident heavily contaminated the largest aquatic system in the Ukraine, requiring the development of a model-based decision support system in the field of aquatic radioecology. The main objectives of the system were to simulate and predict radionuclide dispersion in the Pripyat-Dnieper River-reservoir system, assess the effectiveness of special hydraulic countermeasures designed to decrease the rate of radionuclide dispersion in the water bodies, and support the Dnieper reservoirs’ management operations. A hierarchy of mathematical models was developed.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/004896979290241J

MONITORING OF THE FORESTS STATE IN THE CHERNOBYL AREA USING ERS SAR DATA

• Title: MONITORING OF THE FORESTS STATE IN THE CHERNOBYL AREA USING ERS SAR DATA

Author: A.I. Zakharov, I.L. Kucheryavenkova, V.P. Sinilo, M.V. Sorochinsky, L.N. Shamarova

Reference: Feb 2010

doi:

Keywords:

Abstract: The study of the area of Chernobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) using ERS SAR data was conducted under AO3-246 project and devoted to the monitoring of the forests state in the surrounding area. Our earlier analysis SIR-C/X SAR images of the area of interest showed, that X-band and C-band data are significantly worse for the forests classification purposes, than those from L-band.

URL: http://earth.esa.int/pub/ESA_DOC/gothenburg/263zakha.pdf

Radiocesium and lead in the lichen species parmelia sulcata sampled in three regions around Chernobyl: Assessment of concentrations in 1990

• Title: Radiocesium and lead in the lichen species parmelia sulcata sampled in three regions around Chernobyl: Assessment of concentrations in 1990

Author: van den Berg, G.J. / Tyssen, T.P.M. / Ammerlaan, M.J.J. / Volkers, K.J. / Woroniecka, U.D. / de Bruin, M. / Wolterbeek, H.Th.

Reference: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 17 (2-3), p.115-127, Jan 1992

doi: 10.1016/0265-931X(92)90021-K

Keywords:

Abstract: In summer 1990, four years after the Chernobyl accident, an IAEA coordinated survey was carried out in order to assess the radiological consequences and to study the possible effects of releases of (heavy) metals into the environment. Within the framework of this survey, lichens (Parmelia sulcata) were sampled in the Novozybkov, Bragin and Ovruc regions around Chernobyl and ¹³⁷Cs and Pb levels were determined by γ-ray spectroscopy and Graphite Furnace-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS), respectively.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0265931X9290021K

Monitoring of large scale contamination of the environment: The learning of Chernobyl

• Title: Monitoring of large scale contamination of the environment: The learning of Chernobyl

Author: Mascanzoni, D.

Reference: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Articles, 194 (2), p.253-257, Jul 1995

doi: 10.1007/BF02038421

Keywords:

Abstract: The Chernobyl fallout offered the possibility to test new monitoring methods and better understand the behaviour of radionuclides in natural and semi-natural environments. The research started after the Chernobyl accident confirmed previous knowledge, yet producing new information on the radioecology of forested ecosystems. Biological indicators were used with success to establish a relationship between ground deposition and radioactive transfer to wildlife and to evaluate the biological effects of ionizing radiations at low doses.

URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02038421

Autoradiographic investigation of radionuclide alpha-activity in soil and plant samples from Chernobyl zone

• Title: Autoradiographic investigation of radionuclide alpha-activity in soil and plant samples from Chernobyl zone

Author: Akopova, A.B. / Magradze, N.V. / Moiseenko, A.A. / Chalabian, T.S. / Viktorova, N.V. / Garger, E.K.

Reference: International Journal of Radiation Applications and Instrumentation. Part D. Nuclear Tracks and Radiation Measurements, 19 (1-4), p.733-738, Jan 1991

doi: 10.1016/1359-0189(91)90302-X

Keywords: nuclear emulsion; radionuclide; autoradiography; hot particle; activity; Chernobyl

Abstract: Alpha-active “hot particles” in soil and plant samples collected in Chernobyl zone have been investigated by the radiographic method. The size and activity of “hot particles” were measured allowing to calculate their contribution into the radiation dose. Correlation between the measured particle parameters was established. The method of the particle size measuring with the help of low sensitive BYa-2 type photoemulsion is described. The measured mean diameter of hot particles varies from 10 to 200 μm and their activity is 10⁻¹−10⁻⁵ Bq. The most active particles (10⁻¹− 10⁻²Bq) were found only in soil. The leaf samples after the same exposure contained particles with activity not higher than 10⁻³ Bq.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/135901899190302X

Scavenging of Chernobyl137Cs and natural210Pb in Lake Sempach, Switzerland

• Title: Scavenging of Chernobyl¹³⁷Cs and natural²¹⁰Pb in Lake Sempach, Switzerland

Author: Wieland, E. / Santschi, P.H. / Höhener, P. / Sturm, M.

Reference: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 57 (13), p.2959-2979, Jul 1993

doi: 10.1016/0016-7037(93)90286-6

Keywords: Chernobyl; transport; dispersion; fallout

Abstract: Radioactive fallout from the burning Chernobyl nuclear reactor provided a pulsed release of¹³⁷Cs to Lake Sempach at the beginning of May 1986. The time-dependent removal of¹³⁷Cs from the water column into the sediments has been investigated by analyzing water samples, settling particles and sediment cores. A flux balance has been established to determine and to quantify the removal processes in the epilimnion and hypolimnion of Lake Sempach.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0016703793902866#

Atmospheric dispersal and deposition of radioactive material from Chernobyl

• Title: Atmospheric dispersal and deposition of radioactive material from Chernobyl

Author: Wheeler, Dennis A.

Reference: Atmospheric Environment (1967), 22 (5), p.853-863, Jan 1988

doi: 10.1016/0004-6981(88)90262-4

Keywords: Chernobyl; transport; dispersion; fallout

Abstract: This paper reports on the results of studies undertaken in the wake of the fire at the Chernobyl nuclear power station. Published upper air charts and the findings of scientists engaged in monitoring the fallout are used to reconstruct the clouds’ trajectories. The results reveal the role of the various features of weather systems in determining the dispersal, transportation and ultimate fallout of radioactive matter. Most importantly, the situation over Europe at the time of the fire was such as to disperse the radioactive clouds northwards to Scandinavia and later westwards to Britain; directions counter to the dominant westerlies of these latitudes. However, eastwards global dispersal took place rapidly in the weeks following the fire. The paper also emphasizes the importance of rainfall in explaining the geographical variation in the deposition of radioactive material.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0004698188902624