Title: Seasonal 7 Be and 137 Cs activities in surface air before and after the Chernobyl event
Author: Kulan, A.
Reference: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 90 (2), p.140-150, Jan 2006
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2006.06.010
Keywords: 7Be; 137Cs; Atmosphere; Aerosols; Chernobyl fallout; Nuclear weapons fallout; Sweden; Europe
Abstract: Seasonal fluctuations of cosmogenic 7Be (T1/2 = 53.4 days) and anthropogenic 137Cs (T1/2 = 30 years) activities in surface air (aerosols) have been extracted from a long data record (1972–2000) at high latitude (56°N–68°N, Sweden). Normalization to weekly average values was used to control long-term trends so that cyclical trends could be investigated. Enhanced 7Be activity was observed in spring and summer seasons and likely relates to the seasonal thinning of the tropopause. Variations in the 137Cs activity record seem to reflect how the isotope was injected in the atmosphere (stratospheric from bomb tests and tropospheric from the Chernobyl accident) and subsequent transport mechanisms. Accordingly, until 1986, the surface air 137Cs activity was strongly related to nuclear weapons test fallout and exhibits temporal fluctuations resembling the 7Be. Conversely, since 1986 the Chernobyl-produced 137Cs dominates the long-term record that shows annual cycles that are strongly controlled by atmospheric boundary layer conditions. Additionally, short-term data within the post-Chernobyl period suggest subtle intrusion of air masses rich in 137Cs that may occur throughout the year, and differences resulting from spatial occurrence at these latitudes. This is an important observation that may have to do with year-to-year variation and calls for caution when interpreting short-term data records.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265931X06001032
Title: Retrospective determination of 137 Cs specific activity distribution in spruce bark and bark aggregated transfer factor in forests on the scale of the Czech Republic ten years after the Chernobyl accident
Author: Suchara, I. / Rulík, P. / Hůlka, J. / Pilátová, H.
Reference: Science of The Total Environment, 409 (10), p.1927-1934, Apr 2011
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.02.019
Keywords: Chernobyl; 137Cs deposition; Spruce bark contamination; Effect of predictors; Aggregated transfer factors; Pre-Chernobyl bark contamination
Abstract: ► Current 137Cs activities in bark indicate Chernobyl radioactive fallout loads. ► 137Cs transfer from soil to bark is not affected by soil activities of 137Cs. ► Elevation as a factor affecting wet 137Cs deposition and stand pollution. ► An estimate of pre-Chernobyl soil-bark transfer factor for 137Cs.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969711001689
Title: Accumulation and potential dissolution of Chernobyl-derived radionuclides in river bottom sediment
Author: Sanada, Yukihisa / Matsunaga, Takeshi / Yanase, Nobuyuki / Nagao, Seiya / Amano, Hikaru / Takada, Hideshige / Tkachenko, Yuri
Reference: Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 56 (5), p.751-760, May 2002
DOI: 10.1016/S0969-8043(01)00274-3
Keywords: Chernobyl; River bottom sediment; Sequential selective extraction; 137Cs; 90Sr; 239,240Pu; 241Am
Abstract: Areas contaminated with radionuclides from the Chernobyl nuclear accident have been identified in Pripyat River near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The river bottom sediment cores contained 137Cs ( 105– 106 Bq/m2) within 0–30 cm depth, whose concentration is comparable to that in the ground soil in the vicinity of the nuclear power plant (the Exclusion Zone). The sediment cores also accumulated 90Sr ( 105 Bq/m2), 239,240Pu ( 104 Bq/m2) and 241Am ( 104 Bq/m2) derived from the accident. Several nuclear fuel particles have been preserved at 20–25 cm depth that is the peak area of the concentrations of the radionuclides. Th ese inventories in the bottom sediments were compared with those of the released radionuclides during the accident. An analysis using a selective sequential extraction technique was applied for the radionuclides in the sediments. Results suggest that the possibility of release of 137Cs and 239,240Pu from the bottom sediment was low compared with 90Sr. The potential dissolution and subsequent transport of 90Sr from the river bottom sediment should be taken into account with respect to the long-term radiological influence on the aquatic environment.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969804301002743
Title: Retrospective dosimetry of populations exposed to reactor accident: Chernobyl example, lesson for Fukushima
Author: Vadim V. Chumak
Reference: Radiation Measurements, In Press, Corrected Proof,Jul 2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2012.07.004
Keywords: Dosimetry; Retrospective dosimetry; External exposure; Nuclear accident; Chernobyl; Fukushima
Abstract: ► Retrospective dosimetry in Chernobyl was applied for evaluation of individual doses to evacuees. ► Retrospective dosimetry in Chernobyl was applied for validation of ecological dosimetric models, rejection dubious dose rate records. ► Retrospective dosimetry in Chernobyl was applied for risk assessment of leukemia among Chernobyl clean-up workers (liquidators). ► Retrospective dosimetry in Chernobyl was applied for study of cataracts among liquidators. ► Experience of dose reconstruction in Chernobyl could be used for retrospective assessment of exposures in Fukushima.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350448712002107
Title: Management of the Fresh Water Environment in the Chernobyl Affected Area
Author: Oleg V. Voitsekhovich, Yasuo Onishi
Reference: Chernobyl – What Have We Learned? Environmental Pollution Volume 12, 2007, pp 141-201
DOI: 10.1007/1-4020-5349-5_6
Keywords:
URL: http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F1-4020-5349-5_6
Title: Radionuclide ratios of90Sr/137Cs and239(240)Pu/137Cs in contaminated surface air after the Chernobyl accident in Asutria
Author: K. Irlweck, B. Khademi
Reference: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, February 1996, Volume 203, Issue 1, pp 79-85
DOI: 10.1007/BF02060382
Keywords:
Abstract: Ratios of90Sr/137Cs and239(240)Pu/137Cs have been determined in surface air by radiochemical analyses of air filter samples collected at different cities in Austria during the period April, 28–May, 9 1986. The mean values of these ratios remain below 2·10−2 and 1·10−5, respectively, i.e., several orders of magnitude smaller than those from fallout contamination after the atomic weapon tests in 1963. Already few such ratios enable a quick first assessment of radiological emergency situations.
URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02060382
Title: 137Cs and 40K isotopes in forest and wasteland soils in a selected region of eastern Poland 20 years after the Chernobyl accident
Author: Krolak, Elzbieta / Kwapulinski, Jerzy / Fischer, Agnieszka
Reference: Radiation and Environmental Biophysics, 49 (2), p.229-237, May 2010
DOI: 10.1007/s00411-010-0265-5
Keywords:
Abstract: The vertical 137Cs profile of forest and wasteland soils was analyzed in the south of the Podlasie Lowland area (Eastern Poland) about 20 years after the Chernobyl accident. In addition, the concentration of 40K in soils of the investigated area was measured. Below the litter layer (mean thickness 3 cm), the soil samples were collected up to a depth of 12 cm and then divided into three layers: 0–3, 3–7, 7–12 cm. The behavior of 137Cs and 40K isotopes in soils was analyzed depending on the depth from which the soil samples were collected, as well as on the content of organic carbon, pH of soil and its granulometric composition. It was established that the density of 137Cs in the litter layer equals 2.17 kBq m−2; it is the highest in layer 0–3 cm where it equals 3.44 kBq m−2, and it decreases with the depth to the value of 0.76 kBq m−2 in layer 7–12 cm. No similar pattern was observed in wasteland soils. The concentrations of 40K in forest and wasteland soils did not change significantly with depth.
URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00411-010-0265-5
Title: Amount of fuel ejected during the Chernobyl accident as estimated from the 90Sr soil concentration in the 30-KM zone
Author: Rudak, E. A. / Yachnik, O. I.
Reference: Atomic Energy, 107 (1), p.73-76, Jul 2009
DOI: 10.1007/s10512-009-9198-y
Keywords:
URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10512-009-9198-y
Title: An analysis of the environmental mobility of radiostrontium from weapons testing and Chernobyl in Finnish river catchments.
Author: Cross, M A / Smith, J T / Saxèn, R / Timms, D
Reference: Journal of environmental radioactivity, 60 (1-2), p.149-163, Jan 2002
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0265-931X(01)00101-1
Keywords: Strontium; Modelling; Chernobyl; Radionuclide mobility; Rivers
Abstract: The mobility of radiostrontium within the Arctic environment and surrounding area has been studied by analysing the mobility of 90Sr in river catchments that are within Finland. The environmental mobility of 90Sr deposited by both nuclear weapons testing and the Chernobyl accident has been investigated in five Finnish river catchments. Different models assessing the time-dependent mobility of 90Sr have been evaluated. No significant differences were found between the mobility of 90Sr from nuclear weapons tests and from the Chernobyl accident. Model parameters obtained by fitting to the measurements of the deposition and runoff rates of the nuclear weapons test fallout gave predictions which were consistent with the mid- and long-term contamination by the Chernobyl fallout. A comparison of 90Sr with 137Cs showed that they had similar mobility on deposition but, as time passed, the relative mobility of 90Sr increased with respect to 137Cs over a period of 5–8 years. Once the relative migration of 90Sr with respect to 137Cs reached equilibrium, its runoff rate was, on average, approximately an order of magnitude greater than 137Cs.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265931X01001011
Title: Groundwater residence time downgradient of Trench No. 22 at the Chernobyl Pilot Site: Constraints on hydrogeological aquifer functioning
Author: Le Gal La Salle, C. / Aquilina, L. / Fourre, E. / Jean-Baptiste, P. / Michelot, J.-L. / Roux, C. / Bugai, D. / (…) / Lancelot, J.
Reference: Applied Geochemistry, 27 (7), p.1304-1319, Jul 2012
DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2011.12.006
Keywords:
Abstract: ► Stratification of the groundwater is evidenced through Na and Cl and 18O and 2H. ► Good agreement is observed between 3H/3He and CFC ages. ► Complex mixing processes are evidenced at intermediate depth. ► Apparent age distribution suggest exponential or piston flow model. ► Extremely high SF6 concentrations are attributed to the nuclear reactor explosion.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0883292711004884
