The analysis of natural radionuclides activity in the soil and vegetation cover in the South of the Tyumen Region

Abstract

The paper deals with the study of the radiation state of the soil and herbaceous vegetation represented by perennial grasses (Poa pratensis, Calamagrostis epigejos, Rubus saxatilis, Carex acuta, Phleum pratense) in the south of the Tyumen Region. The content and distribution of natural radionuclides in soil and herbaceous vegetation was studied in the Nizhnetavdinsky District of the Tyumen Region at the site of an underground nuclear explosion. Sampling and laboratory tests were carried out according to generally accepted methods. Soil samples were taken at the epicenter of the explosion and at the cardinal directions. Layer-by-layer sampling allowed us to study the vertical distribution of radionuclides in the soil profile. Sampling of perennial grasses was carried out at the same sampling points. Radiation studies of soil and vegetation samples were carried out on the Progress-2000 spectrometric complex. The authors have revealed specific activity of natural radionuclides (K-40, Th-232 and Ra-226) in the profile of grey forest soil in the Nizhnetavdinsky District. They have calculated effective specific activity of radionuclides in the soil. The comparative analysis of the obtained results with the data on administrative areas in the south of the Tyumen Region showed that in the soil of the Nizhnetavdinsky District specific activity of natural radionuclides is higher than in the South region in general. The specific activity of natural radionuclides in perennial grasses of the Nizhnetavdinsky District was determined, and the coefficient of accumulation of radionuclides was calculated.