Title: Migration ability of radionuclides in soil-vegetation cover of Belarus after Chernobyl accident
Author: G.A. Sokolik, T.G. Ivanova, S.L. Leinova, S.V. Ovsiannikova, I.M. Kimlenko
Reference: Environment International, Volume 26, Issue 3, January 2001, Pages 183-187
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0160-4120(00)00104-5
Keywords: Radionuclides; Cesium-137; Strontium-90; Plutonium-239, 240; Americium-241; “hot” particles; Physicochemical State; Chernobyl accident; Migration parameters; Biological accessibility
Abstract: This paper illustrates the experimental experience achieved in the research of the self-restoration of radioactive-contaminated natural ecosystems. The main directions of studies were: the content and geochemical stability of “hot” particles in radioactive fallout from Chernobyl accident; the physicochemical forms (water-soluble, exchangeable, mobile and fixed) of Cs-137, Sr-90, Pu-239, 240 and Am-241 in the wide varieties of soils; the biological accessibility of radionuclides and their contents in soil pore solutions; and the dynamics and migration parameters of radionuclides vertical redistribution in different landscape conditions.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412000001045
Title: The Allium cepa chromosome aberration test reliably measures genotoxicity of soils of inhabited areas in the Ukraine contaminated by the Chernobyl accident
Author: Olga Kovalchuk, Igor Kovalchuk, Andrey Arkhipov, Polina Telyuk, Barbara Hohn, Larisa Kovalchuk
Reference: Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, Volume 415, Issues 1–2, 8 July 1998, Pages 47-57
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1383-5718(98)00053-9
Keywords: Allium test; Genotoxicity; Cytotoxicity; Chernobyl; Radiation
Abstract: The accident on the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant reactor IV in April 1986 led to the release of an enormous amount of radioactive material into the biosphere and to the formation of a complex pattern of nuclear contamination over a large area. As a consequence more than 5 million km2 of the soil in the Ukraine became contaminated with more than 1 Ci/km21 and 2. An assessment of the genetic consequences of the nuclear pollution is one of the most important problems. We applied the Allium cepa test to estimate the impact on plant chromosomes of nuclear pollution in the inhabited zones of the Ukraine. We tested soil from the obligatory resettlement zone (zone 2), where the mean density of pollution is 15–40 Ci/km2; zones of enhanced radiological control-zone 3, 5–15 Ci/km2 and zone 4, 1–5 Ci/km2. We found a dose-dependent increase in the fraction of aberrant mitoses from control values of 1.6±0.9% up to 23.8±5.0%, and a corresponding monotonous decrease of the mitotic index from 49.4±4.8% to a limiting value of 22.5±4.0% at pollution levels exceeding 35 Ci/km2 (activity of the soil samples exceeding 6000 Bq/kg, respectively). We observed a strong, significant correlation of activity of soil samples with the percentage of chromosomal abnormalities, r=0.97 (P<0.05), and with the mitotic index, r=−0.93 (P<0.05), in the roots of A. cepa, respectively. The results showed high toxicity and genotoxicity of radioactively polluted soils and confirmed the efficiency of the A. cepa test as a quick and inexpensive biological test for ecological and genetic risk assessment in the `Chernobyl’ zones.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1383571898000539
Title: Detecting contamination-induced tree stress within the Chernobyl exclusion zone
Author: Corine Davids, Andrew N Tyler
Reference: Remote Sensing of Environment, Volume 85, Issue 1, 25 April 2003, Pages 30-38
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0034-4257(02)00184-0
Keywords: Contamination-induced tree stress; Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant; Three Channel Vegetation Index
Abstract: The radioactive contamination from the 1986 accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (CNPP) caused significant change in the abundance and distribution of tree species in the exclusion zone. Some 400 ha of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) were killed from high levels of contamination and these areas have since been recolonised by silver birch (Betula pendula). Much work has shown that changes in leaf pigments (chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids) and biomass as a result of water and nutrient deficiencies and other environmental influences can be detected through spectral reflectance characteristics of leaves. This paper presents the results of a reconnaissance study showing that spectral reflectance measurements can also be used to detect the effect of radionuclide contamination on the vegetation in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Through laboratory and in situ spectroradiometry of silver birch and Scots pine, we demonstrate that the chlorophyll red edge and the Three Channel Vegetation Index (TCHVI) correlate well with specific activities of 90Sr and 137Cs in leaves, γ-dose rates and 137Cs inventories in soil. The results show that remote sensing has the potential of providing a valuable monitoring technique for assessing the ecological impact of radionuclide contamination.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0034425702001840
Title: α-Particle track investigation of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident region soil samples
Author: L.L. Kashkarov, G.V. Kalinina, V.P. Perelygin
Reference: Radiation Measurements, Volume 36, Issues 1–6, June 2003, Pages 529-532
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1350-4487(03)00199-9
Keywords: α Tracks; CZ plastic track detector; Highly-radioactive “hot” particles; Chernobyl accident region; Radio-nuclide soil contamination
Abstract: Results of α-particle track studies (Radiat. Meas. 25(1–4) (1995) 413; Radionuclides and Heavy metals in Environment, Vol. 5, 2001, Kluwer Academic Publisher, Dordrecht) indicate that the surface layer of the soil in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) accident region consists of thinly dispersed radionuclides and highly-radioactive “hot” particles (HPs). The latter contain nearly 2/3rds of the total α-activity of the contaminated soil. In the present report, the new results of continued HP α-activity characteristics are presented. The chief attempt made was to investigate size–frequency vs. α-activity distribution of HPs of size fraction ⩽10– . For the Hp-aggregates with ∼100– sizes, α-radio-nuclide heterogeneity was established. This is probably the result of formation of HP-aggregates during the second stage of the NPP accident process: in these HPs the presence of not only U and fission products of “fuel” origin has been revealed, but also of terrestrial matter components.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350448703001999
Title: Estimation of doses received in a dry-contaminated residential area in the Bryansk region, Russia, since the Chernobyl accident
Author: K.G. Andersson, J. Roed
Reference: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 85, Issues 2–3, 2006, Pages 228-240
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2004.08.019
Keywords: Radiation dose; Radiocaesium; Urban; Chernobyl; Preparedness; Dry deposition
Abstract: In nuclear preparedness, an essential requirement is the ability to adequately predict the likely consequences of a major accident situation. In this context it is very important to evaluate which contributions to dose are important, and which are not likely to have significance. As an example of this type of evaluation, a case study has been conducted to estimate the doses received over the first 17 years after the Chernobyl accident in a dry-contaminated residential area in the Bryansk region in Russia. Methodologies for estimation of doses received through nine different pathways, including contamination of streets, roofs, exterior walls, and landscape, are established, and best estimates are given for each of the dose contributions. Generally, contaminated soil areas were estimated to have given the highest dose contribution, but a number of other contributions to dose, e.g., from contaminated roofs and inhalation of contaminants during the passage of the contaminated plume, were of the same order of magnitude.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265931X05002183
Title: Testing of a foodchain model using Chernobyl 137Cs fallout data and considering the effect of countermeasures
Author: Zitouni Ould-Dada
Reference: Science of The Total Environment, Volume 301, Issues 1–3, 1 January 2003, Pages 225-237
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0048-9697(02)00285-1
Keywords: Chernobyl; 137Cs; Foodchain; Countermeasures; SPADE; Dose assessment; Uncertainty; BIOMASS
Abstract: Chernobyl 137Cs fallout data obtained during the period 1986–1996 from the most contaminated area in Russia were used within the IAEA BIOMASS programme to test the reliability of radiological assessment models. This model-testing scenario included information and data on countermeasures that were applied in the test area after the accident. This paper presents the predictions of the terrestrial foodchain model SPADE that was used in this model-testing exercise. SPADE predictions compared reasonably well with test data except for pigs and wild berries where differences were up to a factor of 50 and 200, respectively. Estimated intake of 137Cs and ingestion dose by adult men and women living in the test area compared favourably with the test data. Overall, SPADE proved to be capable of simulating agricultural countermeasures and their effectiveness. Modelling of countermeasures was found to be a complex process with large uncertainties regarding their ‘real’ implementation and effectiveness. The lessons learned from this exercise will be valuable in making future dose assessments/reconstructions involving countermeasures with improved results.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969702002851
Title: Determination of 99Tc deposited on the ground within the 30-km zone around the chernobyl reactor and estimation of 99Tc released into atmosphere by the accident
Author: S. Uchida, K. Tagami, W. Rühm, E. Wirth
Reference: Chemosphere, Volume 39, Issue 15, December 1999, Pages 2757-2766
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0045-6535(99)00210-6
Keywords: Technetium-99; Chernobyl accident; Forest soil; Deposition; Cesium-137; Migration
Abstract: Technetium-99 was determined in samples from the 30-km zone around the Chernobyl reactor. Concentrations of 99Tc in soil samples taken from three forest sites ranged from 1.1 to 14.1 Bq kg−1 dry weight for the organic soil layers, and from 0.13 to 0.83 Bq kg−1 dry weight for the mineral soil layers. In particular, for the organic layers, the measured 99Tc concentrations were one or two orders of magnitude higher than those due to global fallout 99Tc. The 99Tc depositions (Bq m−2), based on the sum of the depositions measured in organic and mineral layers, ranged from 130 Bq m−2 within the 10-km zone to about 20 Bq m−2 close to the border of the 30-km zone. Taking the corresponding measured 137Cs depositions into account, it was found that the activity ratio of ranged from 6 × 10−5 to 1.2 × 10−4. It was estimated that about 970 GBq of 99Tc had been released by the Chernobyl accident. This figure corresponded to 2%–3% of the total 99Tc inventory in the core.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653599002106
Title: Atmospheric deposition of cosmogenic 7Be and 137Cs from fallout of the Chernobyl accident
Author: C. Papastefanou, A. Ioannidou, S. Stoulos, M. Manolopoulou
Reference: Science of The Total Environment, Volume 170, Issues 1–2, 18 August 1995, Pages 151-156
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0048-9697(95)04608-4
Keywords: Atmospheric depositional flux; Cosmogenic radionuclides; Chernobyl accident
Abstract: Atmospheric (tropospheric) depositional fluxes of the naturally occurring 7Be of cosmogenic origin and 137Cs from fallout of the Chernobyl accident were measured over a 7-year period (January 1987–December 1993) at Thessaloniki, Greece (40° 38′N, 22° 58′E). The annual total deposition fluxes of 7Be varied between 854 Bq/m2 (1987) and 1242 Bq/m2 (1992), showing a minimum in the years 1988–1989. The annual total deposition fluxes of 137Cs varied between 183 Bq/m2 (1987) and 16.4 Bq/m2 (1992), showing a significant decrease as expected for natural removal and radioactive decay and no new releases from nuclear facilities or weapons testing. The annual average total deposition velocity for 7Be was from 0.3 cm/s (1988) up to 0.8 cm/s (1991), while for 137Cs the corresponding values were much higher, hence 137Cs was associated with larger atmospheric particles. High 7Be concentrations in air were related to the very little solar activity (1987–1988 and 1993–1994), while low 7Be concentrations in air related to the high solar activity (1989–1991). Maximum 137Cs concentrations in air were registered during the spring 1991 and 1992, reflecting some stratospheric inputs. An unusual highly elevated value of 137Cs concentration in air, reaching 0.25 mBg/m3, was observed during the summer 1990.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0048969795046084
Title: Resuspension of coarse fuel hot particles in the Chernobyl area
Author: Florian Wagenpfeil, Jochen Tschiersch
Reference: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 52, Issue 1, January 2001, Pages 5-16
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0265-931X(00)00081-3
Keywords: Resuspension; Chernobyl fallout; Hot particles; Aerosol sampler; Digital autoradiography
Abstract: Measurements of resuspended aerosol in the Chernobyl 30-km exclusion zone have shown coarse fuel hot particles in the activity range 1–12 Bq per particle. The particles were sampled with newly designed rotating arm impactors which simultaneously collect during the same experiment three samples with fuel particles in the size ranges larger than 3 μm, larger than 6 μm and larger than 9 μm in geometric diameter. The radionuclide ratios, determined after γ-spectrometry, were in good agreement with the theoretical calculations for the radionuclide-composition of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant at the moment of the accident and the measured hot particles in soil in the early years after the accident. The number concentrations of airborne hot particles were derived from digital autoradiography. For wind resuspension, maximal concentrations of 2.6 coarse hot particles per 1000 m3 and during agricultural activities 36 coarse hot particles per 1000 m3 were measured. The geometric diameter of single hot particles was estimated to be between 6 and 12 μm.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265931X00000813
Title: The use of weather radar in assessing deposition of radioactivity from chernobyl across England and Wales
Author: H.M. ApSimon, K.L. Simms, C.G. Collier
Reference: Atmospheric Environment (1967), Volume 22, Issue 9, 1988, Pages 1895-1900
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0004-6981(88)90078-9
Keywords: Wet deposition; weather radar; Chernobyl; nuclear accidents; 137Cs
Abstract: Deposition of radionuclides from the Chernobyl accident depended critically on patterns of precipitation intercepting the material. This paper describes the use of the RAINPATCH model to calculate wet deposition of 137Cs over England and Wales. This puff-based model makes direct use of precipitation data measured by weather radar to determine the scavenging of airborne material. The detailed spatial and temporal resolution of when and where material was scavenged provides good agreement with measurements. Since all the data used could potentially have been available at the time, such methods could usefully be applied in real time in the event of any future accident releasing such radionuclides.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0004698188900789
