Abstract
From 1949 to 1956, the ecosystem of the Techa River in the Chelyabinsk region of Russia was contaminated by the discharge of liquid radioactive wastes from the radiochemical production complex [open quotes]Mayak.[close quotes] Further distribution of radionuclides resulted in contamination of riverside territories such as the settlement Muslyumovo and was most pronounced in places used as pastures, for laying in fodder, and for fishing and swimming. First, the Techa River is simultaneously a depository-dump and the main source of such radionuclides as [sup 137]Cs, [sup 90]Sr, and [sup 239]Pu in the riverside environment. Secondly, the land formations and geochemical properties of the soils and sediments in the Techa River floodplain promote the accumulation of radionuclides in vegetation and, as a result, their further migration to animals that come in contact with or consume the vegetation. In addition, the contamination of Muslyumovo is exacerbated by high levels of radioactive contamination of living organisms with [sup 137]Cs and [sup 90]Sr, as well as by the presence of alpha-emitting isotopes. Data suggest that the respiratory system in humans is the most probable path of exposure to alpha-emitters. 4 refs.
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