Title: Action of the radioactive environment contamination on the age changes of the lipid peroxidation state in the rodent tissues
Author: Shishkina LN, Zagorskaia NG, Shevchenko OG.
Reference: Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologii / Rossiĭskai͡a akademii͡a nauk, Gerontologicheskoe obshchestvo, 23 (3), p.424-426, Jan 2010
Keywords: Radioactive contamination, lipid peroxidation, rodents
Abstract: Influence of the environment radioactive contamination on the age changes of the lipid peroxidation state in the Microtus oeconomus tissues (rodents caught in the Komi Republic areas and in the Chernobyl accident zone) was studied. The data show that action extent depends on the external y-radiation level in the trapping areas, the animal sex and the supply of the tissue lipids by antioxidants.
URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21137215?dopt=Abstract
Title: Validation of the ICRP model for caesium intake by lactating mothers with Italian data after the Chernobyl fallout.
Author: Giussani, Augusto / Risica, Serena
Reference: Environment international, 39 (1), p.122-127, Feb 2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2011.10.010
Keywords: Caesium; Breast milk; Urine; ICRP model; Breastfeeding
Abstract: ► The transfer of radiocaesium from diet to human breast milk was investigated. ► Measurements made after the Chernobyl fallout are compared to ICRP model predictions. ► The ICRP model describes well caesium concentrations in breast milk and its pattern. ► Description of urinary excretion is less satisfactory.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412011002558
Title: ASSESSMENT OF THE RADIONUCLIDE COMPOSITION OF “HOT PARTICLES” SAMPLED IN THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT FOURTH REACTOR UNIT
Author: Farfan, E. / Jannik, T. / Marra, J.
Reference: HEALTH PHYSICS JOURNAL, Oct 2011
Keywords: 21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS; AMERICIUM; BURNUP; CESIUM; CESIUM ISOTOPES; CONFINEMENT; CURIUM; EUROPIUM; NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS; PLUTONIUM; RADIOISOTOPES; SHELTERS
Abstract: Fuel-containing materials sampled from within the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) 4th Reactor Unit Confinement Shelter were spectroscopically studied for gamma and alpha content. Isotopic ratios for cesium, europium, plutonium, americium, and curium were identified and the fuel burnup in these samples was determined. A systematic deviation in the burnup values based on the cesium isotopes, in comparison with other radionuclides, was observed. The conducted studies were the first ever performed to demonstrate the presence of significant quantities of {sup 242}Cm and {sup 243}Cm. It was determined that there was a systematic underestimation of activities of transuranic radionuclides in fuel samples from inside of the ChNPP Confinement Shelter, starting from {sup 241}Am (and going higher), in comparison with the theoretical calculations.
URL: http://www.osti.gov/bridge/product.biblio.jsp?query_id=2&page=0&osti_id=1024191
Title: Ecosystem remediation in radioactively polluted areas: the Chernobyl experience
Author: Davydchuk, Vassili
Reference: Ecological Engineering, 8 (4), p.325-336, Aug 1997
DOI: 10.1016/S0925-8574(97)00026-8
Keywords: Nuclear accident; Radiation damage; Countermeasures; Ecosystem remediation; Maintenance;
Forestation; Self-restoration; Radionuclides redistribution; Stabilisation; Radioecological situation; Ukraine; Chernobyl; Forest restoration
Abstract: The ecosystems of Chernobyl nuclear accident zone, having been deeply transformed by normal long-term agricultural and forestry activity, have been damaged by irradiation after the nuclear accident of 1986 and then influenced by post-accident countermeasures. Ecosystem remediation is being undertaken in this area, including maintenance of the forests, artificial afforestation, and processes of spontaneous self-restoration of the natural coenoses. Both natural and artificial remediation of the landscapes and ecosystems at the abandoned territory improves their capacity to retain radionuclides and their ability to stabilise the processes of redistribution of radionuclides and their spread in the environment. The Chernobyl zone is a territory of great importance for studying ecosystem remediation processes and elaborating on ecological engineering technologies to correct serious environmental problems arising from radionuclides release.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925857497000268
Title: Radioecological investigation of food of animal origin in Belgrade environment.
Author: Gordana, Vitorović / Svetlana, Grdović / Branislava, Mitrović / Milan, Obradović / Branko, Petrujkić
Reference: The Japanese journal of veterinary research, 57 (3), p.169-173, Nov 2009
Keywords: food, animals, Belgrade, 137Cs
Abstract: The activity concentrations of 40K, 238U, 232Th and 137Cs were measured using gamma spectrometric method in different food chain samples from Serb Belgrade environment during the periods May-June 2007 and May-June 2008 year. Relatively high activities of 40K and 137Cs were detected in the soil. These results indicate that 137Cs is present in Belgrade environment even 20 years after nuclear accident in Chernobyl. However, in the samples of feedstuffs, animal products and bio indicators (meat of wild animals and fish), activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides and 137Cs were low and below the detection limits. Results of these trials have shown that investigated animal products from the natural environment around Belgrade, are radioactivity safe.
URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20025125?dopt=Abstract
Title: The University of Arizona Institutional Repository: Radiocarbon Volume 48 (2006) Number 3 RADIOACTIVE GRAPHITE DISPERSION IN THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE VICINITY OF THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Author: Buzinny, Michael
Reference: The University of Arizona, Geosciences, May 2011
Keywords: graphite, soil, forest
Abstract: This paper estimates the radioactive graphite dispersion on the land surface (forest litter and soil) as a result of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) release. Graphite mass was calculated using an estimated average concentration of 2.5 × 107 Bq/kg C (carbon). The sample collection method, sample origin and its mass, and sample preparation procedure used for preparation of benzene were taken into account to obtain the optimum sensitivity of the method. Thus, the sensitivity of the corresponding method for graphite detection in forest litter was estimated to be 0.2 mg/m2. All analyses gave a range of deposited graphite from 0.12 to 52.6 mg/m2. The maximum value was observed at a site located 9 km west of the Chernobyl NPP. The results of the study indicate the importance of studying the upper layer of soil (0–5 cm) in addition to the lower layer of forest litter.
URL:http://digitalcommons.arizona.edu/holdings/journal/article?r=http%3A%2F%2Fradiocarbon.library.arizona.edu%2FVolume48%2FNumber3%2F451-458.pdf
Title: Nuclear Fuel in the Destroyed 4th Unit of Chernobyl NPP
Author: Volodymyr M. PAVLOVYCH
Reference: Institute for Nuclear Research of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine, Aug 2002
Keywords: nuclear fuel, 4th Unit of Chernobyl NPP
URL: http://www.rri.kyoto-u.ac.jp/NSRG/reports/kr79/kr79pdf/Pavlovych.pdf
Title: Worker Health and Safety Issues in Reinforcing the Entombment of the Chernobyl Reactor
Author: Likhtarev, Illya
Reference: Health Physics: November 2007 – Volume 93 – Issue 5 – pp 480-486
DOI: 10.1097/01.HP.0000279600.49256.e6
Keywords: 4th Unit of Chernobyl NPP, dosimetry data, health state
Abstract: The paper provides an overview of current work involving the strengthening of the Sarcophagus over the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant destroyed 4th unit. It includes a brief summary of the types of work being performed, the radiological environment, the medical surveillance program, the protective measures being implemented, and the internal and external radiation monitoring program for the workers. Also, it presents a summary of the workplace monitoring data and the internal and external dosimetry data, and estimates of the total effective doses received by the workers during the work. The primary contribution to worker radiation doses was from external exposure. The maximum total effective doses received are 9.2 mSv mo(-1) and 17.4 mSv y(-1).
URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18049224?dopt=Abstract
Title: Molecular and isotopic records of the combustion inputs to the environment over the last 250 yrs
Author: Lima, Ana Lúcia Cessel de, 1969-
Reference: Thesis (Ph. D.)–Joint Program in Oceanography (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences; and, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2004.
Keywords: Carbon-14, Carbon-13, 137Cs, hydrocarbons
Abstract: The most ubiquitous source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to the environment is incomplete combustion. This study generated a high-resolution historical record of pyrogenic PAH emissions since pre-industrial times from anoxic aquatic sediments, allowing for detailed comparison with energy consumption data. We show that an increase in PAH concentrations over the last decade may be due to a rise in emissions from diesel-powered vehicles. Compound-specific radiocarbon measurements demonstrated unequivocally that the proportion of PAHs derived from fossil fuel combustion has increased substantially during the 20th century. [delta]¹³C and [delta]¹⁴C measurements were also used to constrain the relative importance of combustion versus in situ production as sources of perylene. In addition, a comparison of the down-core concentration and isotopic profiles of black carbon (BC) generated by a combination of chemical and/or thermal oxidation methods highlighted the limitations of these methods when applied to sedimentary matrices. Finally, parallel lead and cesium isotopic records revealed two new potential stratigraphic markers in North American sedimentary records. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb profiles show a distinct peak in the mid-19th century, while a ¹³⁷Cs peak was found to coincide with the 1986 Chernobyl accident.
URL: http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/39413
Title: Transgenic plants are sensitive bioindicators of nuclear pollution caused by the Chernobyl accident.
Author: Kovalchuk, I / Kovalchuk, O / Arkhipov, A / Hohn, B
Reference: Nature biotechnology, 16 (11), p.1054-1059, Nov 1998
DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04831.x
Keywords: Chernobyl; radionuclides; radiolysis; soil; water ecosystems; bioaccumulation; transition ratio; radiomorphosis
Abstract: To evaluate the genetic consequences of radioactive contamination originating from the nuclear reactor accident of Chernobyl on indigenous populations of plants and animals, it is essential to determine the rates of accumulating genetic changes in chronically irradiated populations. An increase in germline mutation rates in humans living close to the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant site, and a two- to tenfold increase in germline mutations in barn swallows breeding in Chernobyl have been reported. Little is known, however, about the effects of chronic irradiation on plant genomes. Ionizing radiation causes double-strand breaks in DNA, which are repaired via illegitimate or homologous recombination. We make use of Arabidopsis thaliana plants carrying a beta-glucuronidase marker gene as a recombination substrate to monitor genetic alterations in plant populations, which are caused by nuclear pollution of the environment around Chernobyl. A significant (p<0.05) increase in somatic intrachromosomal recombination frequencies was observed at nuclear pollution levels from 0.1-900 Ci/km2, consistent with an increase in chromosomal aberrations. This bioindicator may serve as a convenient and ethically acceptable alternative to animal systems.
URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9831035?dopt=Abstract
