Assessment of the Radiation Situation and the Presence of Heavy Metals in the Soil in the Poleski National Park

Abstract

The aim of the research in the Poleski National Park was to determine the concentration of radionuclides and heavy metals in the soil and to evaluate the absorbed dose and the average annual effective dose as a result of external exposure to ground-based radiation sources. The spread of anthropogenic radionuclide concentration in the Poleski National Park was the highest. This is a first-of-its-kind study in Poland. The annual effective dose calculated for the Poleski National Park was over three times higher than the average worldwide value. Soil samples were subjected to mineralization using a TITAN MPS with a rotor. Subsequently, the metals in the obtained solutions were determined using the atomic absorption spectrometry method with flame atomization (AAS FM). The content of copper Cu, nickel Ni, lead Pb, cadmium Cd, and chromium Cr did exceed the average content neither in Europe nor around the world. The soils of the Poleski National Park are characterized by pollution with the tested heavy metals, especially cadmium Cd.