Cesium-137 and strontium-90 contamination of water bodies in the areas affected by releases from the chernobyl nuclear power plant accident: an overview

Abstract

Results of observations the contamination of the Ukrainian, Byelorussian and Russian Federation rivers, the Dnieper reservoir chain, the Dnieper reservoir chain, the Dnieper estuary and the Black, Baltic and Azov Seas by cesium-137 and strontium-90 after the Chernobyl accident, carried out in 1986–1991 by the Institutions of the USSR State Committee for Hydrometeorology, are presented and discussed. The dynamics of contamination levels and radionuclide removal into the Kiev reservoir are studied. It is shown that the primary sources (over 90%) of cesium-137 and strontium-90 fluxes into the Kiev reservoir are the Pripyat and Dnieper Rivers. The impact on the area closest to the Chernobyl plant on the Pripyat River with regard to pollution by strontium-90 is assessed via qualitative estimates. The dynamics of pollution of the Dnieper reservoir chain are considered. It is shown that the greatest part of the cesium-137 is absorbed by the reservoir bottom (about 95%), whereas strontium-90 passes right through the chain. Sea-water pollution dynamics are also studied and the inputs of cesium-137 and strontium-90 into the Black, Baltic and Azov Seas as a result of the Chernobyl accident are estimated.