Abstract
The consequences of the Chernobyl disaster continue to threaten humans and ecosystems across fallout gradient in Northern Ukraine and nearby. Forest ecosystems contain substantial stocks of long-lived radionuclide 90Sr which was leached from the fuel matrix during the disaster. Nowadays, there is a lack of information about current transfer factors (TF) of this radionuclide from soil to the stemwood of native tree species. We have estimated 90Sr content in the forest stemwood of three tree species utilizing models of their growth and yield and collected woody samplings. TFs provided here vary greatly across studied tree species (18.0 × 2.1±1, 8.7 × 2.8±1, and 10.4 × 6.0±1 n × 10−3 m2·kg−1 (geometrical mean (GM) ± geometrical standard deviation, GSD) for the above species, respectively) and together with indicators of soil contamination allow us to reliably assess local stocks in the stemwood. Silver birch stands are estimated to deposit the highest 90Sr stocks. Herewith, at 25 years old Black alder stands could accumulate higher stocks (up to 35 MBq·ha−1) under rich growth conditions. TFs obtained in this study substantially exceed values provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency for studied tree species and thus could entail respective restrictions on use of firewood across large areas in Ukrainian Polissya. Data provided here may be harnessed to support decisions of respective stakeholders to provide credibly safe management of the contaminated forest ecosystems.
Highlights
Radioactive contamination of forests remains one of the main ecological consequences of the Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP) accidents [1]
Performance of developed models in terms of abovementioned metrics is given in the Table 4
The best predictive ability was achieved by the mean height (H) models, while models of growing stock volume (GSV) and diameter (D) were performed moderately
Summary
Radioactive contamination of forests remains one of the main ecological consequences of the Chernobyl and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP) accidents [1]. While radionuclide fluxes in each ecosystem have certain features, and generalization of 90 Sr migration and accumulation patterns will allow researchers to assess and simulate dynamics of concentration activity in ecosystem compartments including forest live biomass [9] Another important factor determining the magnitude of its root uptake is a content of exchangeable calcium in soil. Estimation of concentration dynamics of 90 Sr in forest live biomass compartments allows us to expand understanding of biogeochemical fluxes in forest ecosystems, but rather to develop information-support materials for decision-making in planning, organization and management of timber production, including wood for energy purposes. Such materials should sustain reasonable restrictions of wood utilization. The aim of such assessment is to predict forest ecosystem contamination in more credible manner and with perspectives to adjust respective knowledge for planning local management decisions and silviculture activities not exceeding implemented hygienic standards for 90 Sr and 137 Cs content in products
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
