Geoinformation modeling of radioactive contamination of territories on the example of mines of the “ShidGSK” mining and processing plant

Abstract

The aim of the study was to model the territorial distribution and statistical assessment of migration through the trophic chain of naturally occurring radionuclides released into the environment as a result of uranium ore mining. Statistical, geoinformation and experimental research methods were used in the study. Interpolation of the results of volumetric activity of natural radionuclides in environmental components and development of spatial models of their territorial distribution were performed using the ArcGIS software; statistical processing of modelling results and development of mathematical models of migration of natural radionuclides between environmental components were performed using ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst software. The paper substantiates the choice of the method of geostatistical modelling of the territorial distribution of volumetric activity of natural radionuclides 234U, 238U, 210Po, 210Pb, 226Ra in soils and plants, which allows modelling the values of probabilistic indicators of radioecological contamination in the absence of a sufficient array of initial actual research results. Based on the analysis of the data obtained, the methodology of mathematical modelling of migration of natural radionuclides between soil and plant parts was further developed, which will facilitate consideration of the specifics of migration of natural radionuclides through the trophic chain and help in determining the level of radioecological hazard to the environment. The developed territorial models allow one to obtain stochastic data for their further analytical processing and visualizing radioecological hazard zones. Based on the developed models, zones of increased radioecological hazard within the existing sources of radioactive contamination were identified.