Colloid transport of radionuclides in soils (English)

Author: A. P. Novikov, S. N. Kalmykov, T. A. Goryachenkova, B. F. Myasoedov

Reference: Russian Journal of General Chemistry, 2011

ISSN: 0373-0247

DOI: 10.1134/S1070363211090489

Keywords: radionuclides, change form, contaminated wastewater, soil

Abstract: Radionuclides undergo redistribution and change existence forms (and, therefore, migration dynamics) not only immediately after they enter into the environment, but also during migration. The latter can be associated with changes in the delivery medium (for example, as strongly contaminated wastewaters is diluted by natural), decrease in the concentration of radionuclides (during their sorption and coprecipitation on soil or host rock microparticles), or change in carrier forms (dissolution of fuel matrices). In view of the multifactor nature and complexity of these processes, we set ourselves the task to summarize results obtained at the GEOKHI RAS on the forms of existence and migration dynamics of radionuclides in radioactively contaminated soils. As objects for study we used soils typical of the forest-steppe zone of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace (EURT) and taken at a distance of 2 through 8 km from the Trace axis and 2–4 km from the accident place, as well as samples of the high-water bed soils and sediments of the Enisey River, taken 60 km downstream from the Mining Chemical Combine (MCC).

URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1134%2FS1070363211090489#

The role of soil erosion and fluvial processes in the post-fallout redistribution of Chernobyl-derived caesium-137: a case study of the Lapki catchment, Central Russia

Title: The role of soil erosion and fluvial processes in the post-fallout redistribution of Chernobyl-derived caesium-137: a case study of the Lapki catchment, Central Russia

Author: A.V Panin, D.E Walling, V.N Golosov

Reference: Geomorphology, Volume 40, Issues 3–4, October 2001, Pages 185-204

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(01)00043-5

Keywords: Chernobyl; Caesium-137; Redistribution; Fluvial processes; Sediment; Soil erosion; Deposition

Abstract: The central area of the Russian Plain received substantial amounts Cs-137 fallout as a result of the Chernobyl accident in 1986, with inventories exceeding 40 kBq m⁻² in many of the areas close to Chernobyl. Concern over the longer-term fate of this contamination has focused attention on the need to predict the post-fallout redistribution of the radiocaesium and, thus, future changes in the spatial distribution of contamination in the landscape. Since radiocaesium reaching the land surface as fallout is rapidly and strongly adsorbed by soil and sediment particles, any attempt to predict its post-fallout redistribution must focus on erosion and sediment delivery processes and must rely heavily on a knowledge of the geomorphological processes involved. This paper reports a detailed investigation of post-fallout Cs-137 redistribution in the 2.18-km² Lapki catchment in the Middle-Russian Upland, which has required consideration of soil erosion processes, sediment delivery pathways, sediment delivery ratios and sediment sinks. The time elapsed since the Chernobyl accident is currently insufficient to result in significant reduction of Cs-137 inventories in eroding areas, but areas of deposition on both the lower slopes and on the balka sides and bottoms are already marked by significant increases in Cs-137 inventories. The results obtained emphasise that any attempt to develop meaningful predictions of the longer-term redistribution of Chernobyl-derived Cs-137 fallout within the Russian Plain must be based on a sound and detailed understanding of the linkage between the slopes and the balka systems and the fate of sediment entering the balka systems.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169555X01000435

The transport and fluvial redistribution of Chernobyl-derived radiocaesium within the River Wye basin, UK

title: The transport and fluvial redistribution of Chernobyl-derived radiocaesium within the River Wye basin, UK

Author: J.S. Rowan, D.E. Walling

Reference: Science of The Total Environment, Volume 121, 30 June 1992, Pages 109-131

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(92)90310-O

Keywords: Wye; Chernobyl; radiocaesium; sediment-associated; redistribution

Abstract: Relatively little attention has been given to the long term prospect of fluvial transport processes redistributing Chernobyl-derived radiocaesium within the UK. Work undertaken within the Wye basin, central Wales, demonstrates a complex distribution of fallout at the catchment scale, with the bulk of the deposition concentrated in a narrow north-south band, situated in the west central areas of the basin, which contained in excess of 1500 Bq m⁻² of ¹³⁴Cs. Fluvial transport and redistribution of this material was demonstrated by river sampling during the winter of 1988/89, when the radiocaesium content of suspended sediment transported by the River Wye (≈ 30–50 mBq g⁻¹ of ¹³⁷Cs) remained 3–5-times higher than pre-Chernobyl levels. Floodplain reaches displayed variable levels of secondary contamination, dependent upon the upstream supply of radiocaesium and local morphological controls. Accordingly, the highest ¹³⁴Cs inventories within the basin (> 6000 Bq m⁻²) were associated with rapidly accreting floodplain sites. A number of these sites experienced only limited amounts of direct atmospheric fallout. The importance of fluvial redistribution as a secondary contamination mechanism is thus highlighted.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/004896979290310O

Distribution and migration of ⁹⁰Sr in components of the Dnieper River basin and the Black Sea ecosystems after the Chernobyl NPP accident

Title: Distribution and migration of ⁹⁰Sr in components of the Dnieper River basin and the Black Sea ecosystems after the Chernobyl NPP accident
Author: N.Yu. Mirzoyeva, V.N. Egorov, G.G. Polikarpov

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265931X13000489