Radioecological Monitoring Research Articles

Анализ подходов к радиационно-экологическому мониторингу в районах размещения ядерно и радиационно опасных объектов. Обзор

Анализ подходов к радиационно-экологическому мониторингу в районах размещения ядерно и радиационно опасных объектов. Обзор

Radioecological Monitoring of Adjacent Territories to the Former Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, East Kazakhstan

This paper presents the results of complex radioecological monitoring of the territories, which are situated near the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site, East Kazakhstan region. The radiometric measurements showed that the concentration of radon and beta particles are below the permissible levels. EROA values of a radon in rooms fluctuates from 44 Bq/m3 to 195 Bq/ m3. The measured values of fluency of betta-particles in all the studied points are less than 10 freq/ min*cm2. A specific activity of radionuclides, such as Am-241, Cs-137 and Pu – 239/240 in soils, plant, water, meat and milk were evaluated.

FIRST RESULTS OF THE RADIOECOLOGICAL RESEARCH OF THE BELOYARSK NPP COOLING POND AFTER THE 4TH UNIT BN-800 COMMISSIONING

Relevance. New units commissioning at the operating nuclear power plants may be associated with an increase in the radiation load on environment and human beings. The 4th Unit BN-800 was commissioned at the Beloyarsk nuclear power plant (BNPP) in 2016. The Beloyarsk artificial lake created in 1959–1963 serves as a cooling pond. A radioecological study of the cooling pond was performed in 2014 before the BN-800 Unit commissioning. Its results were published in the issue No. 2 of the present journal in 2016.Intention. The objective of the work is to show (comparing with the results of the previous research) the effect of the BN-800 Unit commissioning on the cooling pond radioecological state.Methodology. The samples of water and macrophytes (Potamogeton pectinatus, Ceratophyllum demersum, Spirogyra, Cladophora) were examined at the reference points of the cooling pond.Results and Discussion. It was found that 137Cs decreased in the water by 1.4–5.9 times in all reference points (including the 4th NPP Unit discharge channel) compared to 2014. Potamogeton pectinatus (from the 4th NPP Unit discharge channel) had 3.1 times less 137Cs and 1.4 times less 90Sr than macrophytes from the Pyshma river area below the dam.Conclusion. The BN-800 Unit commissioning was not associated with additional radiation load on the artificial lake. It does not deleteriously affect the natural purification processes after the 1st and 2nd BNPP Units decommissioning. The further preservation of the Beloyarsk artificial lake natural resources assumes a systematic radioecological monitoring to determine the level of long-lived radionuclides in main natural components of the cooling pond.Sampling from the cooling pond, sample preparation, 137Cs and 90Sr concentration measurement in water and aquatic plants as well as interpretation of results are performed in the framework of the State Task of the Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Radio-ecological monitoring of the Urtui open-pit lignite mine

Radio-ecological monitoring of the Urtui open-pit lignite mine

Radioecological Monitoring in the Central Zone of Azerbaijan

In the suggested article were investigated the distribution of natural radionuclides naturally – occurring uranium – series isotopic ratios which taken water samples from rivers, cannels, aquifers (artesian well) and soil cover in central regions of Azerbaijan. Quantity of radionuclides (226R , 228Ra, 40K, 137Cs) in water and soil samples determined by qamma-spectrometric methods. The products of 238U radioactive decomposition rank 226Ra which has a comparatively great decomposition period and 228Ra intermediate product of 232Th rank is observed in water and soil samples of the territories investigated. Activity of radionuclides (226Ra, 228Ra, 40K,) in groundwater of investigation territory chances 226Ra (0,15Bq/l-1,21Bq/l), 228Ra(0,01Bq/l-1,55Bq/l) and 40K (0,24Bq/l-63Bq/l) interval. Contents observed in the waters to be taken from artesian wells indicate that, natural radionuclides in their content are formed as the result of erosion processes in soil layers. Radionuclide contents of bottom sediments matched the content of the territorial land cover and were much lower than the level of the existing norms.

Radioecological situation on the territory of the Volga Region Department of Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring in 2016

The environment quality is an extremely relevant question, including taking into account radio-ecological situation. The development of local agriculture should take into account various radiation parameters that determine the current radiation situation. In particular, it is necessary to do regular radioecological monitoring of environmental pollution of the Samara Region and adjacent territories on the main types of radiometric observations. The paper focuses on the reliable and rapid detection of radioactive contamination, assessment of the radiation situation with the help of radio-ecological control of natural environment components. In the paper on the basis of the Volga Region Department of Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring data the authors assess the radiation situation in the settlements of Samara, Saratov, Orenburg, Penza and Ulyanovsk Regions. The paper contains values of aerosols -activity concentration in the surface layer of the atmosphere as well as the data of the average annual values in Samara and adjacent regions. According to the data of radioecological monitoring the level of total -activity of radioactive fallout from the atmosphere is shown. The maximum values of the total -activity concentration of the atmospheric surface layer aerosols were recorded in summer, which is due to the secondary wind dust rise from the contaminated areas. It was shown that the average annual value of the total -activity of aerosols according to the results of studies is within the normal limits. The paper also contains conclusions about the degree of danger of the atmosphere surface layer contamination by technogenic radionuclides.

Complex Radiochemical Analysis of Natural Waters and Nuclear Power Plant Wastewaters. Specific Features of the Method for Radiochemical Determination of 90Sr

A procedure was developed for complex analysis of γ-emitting nuclides and 90Sr in natural and wastewaters with two methods of preparation of counting samples for 90Sr activity measurement: coprecipitation of 90Sr with strontium sulfate and coprecipitation of 90Y with yttrium hydroxide. Strontium-90 is concentrated on KU-2-8chs strongly acidic sulfonic cation-exchange resin in the Н+ form after removing γ-emitting radionuclides on complex selective sorbents, which are simultaneously counting samples for measuring the activity of γ-emitting nuclides. The main steps of the sorption procedure for the complex analysis are described, and the choice of the method for preparing a counting sample based on 90Y for current radioecological monitoring is substantiated.

Radioecological State of the Agrosphere in the 30-km Zone of the Siberian Chemical Combine During the Pre-Startup Period of a Prototype Power Complex

The results of radioecological monitoring of agricultural activities within the 30-km impact zone of the Siberian Chemical Combine are examined. The surface activity of 137Cs in soil and the specific activity of 137Cs in plants with similar indicators characteristic for NPP sites are analyzed and compared. The obtained data make it possible to evaluate the impact of a prototype electric power complex (PEPC) on the soil-and-vegetation cover and the products of agricultural activity, since the data make it possible to differentiate information on two basic parts – that associated with the activity of the Combine, on the one hand, and the other with the possible contribution of PEPC, on the other.

Ecology safety technique for growth of csi:tl crystals with internal radioisotopes for radioecological monitoring

Ecology safety technique for growth of csi:tl crystals with internal radioisotopes for radioecological monitoring

SYSTEMATIZATION OF INFORMATION FOR RADIOBIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CLINICAL STATUS OF FARM ANIMALS

The data of radioecological monitoring should be systematized with the methods of system analysis. Radiobiological pathology is evaluated on the basis of the results of physiological parameters diagnostics that should also be processed on the basis of system analysis. Structural-logical modeling involves the development of structural conceptual modeling schemes, which will be filled with information. As a result of radioactive exposure to farm animals, they can be diagnosed with clinical pathology. It is important to identify it because. further agricultural use of animal products depends on its severity. The developed methods allow to identify radiation pathology on the basis of changes in physiological parameters.

Distribution and migration of 239+240Pu in abiotic components of the Black Sea ecosystems during the post-Chernobyl period

Distribution of 239,240Pu in abiotic components (water and bottom sediment) of the Black Sea ecosystems was studied during the post-Chernobyl period at different offshore and near-shore locations. The trends of these radionuclides accumulation by sediments were analyzed. The spatial-temporal changes in the 239,240Pu distribution as well as effective half-life for these radionuclides in the Black Sea surface water in deep-sea area are presented. The estimations of the average annual removal fluxes of the 239,240Pu into the bottom sediments were obtained. The Black Sea sediments were characterized by a higher 239,240Pu concentration factor (Cf ≈ n·104–n·106) and radiocapacity factor (F(239,240Pu) was about 99.9% on the shelf, 94.5–99.1% on deep-sea basin for silty and 94.6–98.9% on the shelf for sandy bottom sediments) as compared with Cf and F for 137Cs and 90Sr. Silty bottom sediments play the role of 239,240Pu main depot in the Black Sea ecosystem. The studied radioecological characteristics of Pu allowed us to define the type of plutonium biogeochemical behavior in the Black Sea as a pedotropic one. The results of this complex radioecological monitoring of 239+240Pu contamination in the Black Sea and their analysis makes it possible to understand the plutonium redistribution pathways which will enable to carry out the tracing of its migration within the ecosystems.

Reconstruction of individualized doses of subjects from the Ukrainian State Register – of Persons that Affected due to Chornobyl accident and reside in Korosten raion of Zhytomyr oblast

To elaborate an ecological dosimetric model of reconstruction individualized exposure doses of subjects from the State Register of Ukraine (SRU) - of persons, affected due to Chornobyl accident and reside at the radioactive contaminated territory of Korosten raion of Zhytomyr Oblast, and to calculate exposure doses for those persons. In the paper, an ecological dosimetric model is presented which is elaborated in order to individualize exposure doses of people who reside in Korosten raion of Zhytomyr Oblast and are registered in SRU. The model is based on the results of radio ecological and dosimetric monitoring held in the period of 1986-2013 at the territory of northern oblasts of Ukraine. Annual dose over each post accidental year consists of the two compo nents: (a) annual effective dose of external gamma exposure (due to radioactive fallout on the ground), and (b) internal exposure of the whole body (due to consumption of meal contaminated by radioactive isotopes). For 1986, the dose of internal exposure is evaluated out of all main radionuclides of radioactive accidental fallout, and after 1987 only for radioisotopes of caesium (134Cs and 137Cs). The parameterization of the model is based on the pre vious experience in working out a complex of ecological dosimetric models for estimation of referent exposure doses of Ukrainian population. Individualized doses of external and internal exposure (annual and accumulated) are estimated for the population of various age groups that resides in the settlements of Korosten raion (totally about 100 settlements). Separately the doses are presented for rural settlements of the raion and for the city of Korosten for each year of the post accidental period of 1986-2016. Estimates of doses are given that were accumulated: (a) during 15 years just after the accident, (b) for the period of 2000-2016, and (c) for 30 year period after the acci dent. Mean dose accumulated for 30 years after the Chornobyl accident by residents of rural settlements of Korosten raion is estimated as 19.8 mSv, and for inhabitants of the Korosten city as 20.9 mSv. On condition of permanent res idence in the raion, residents of about 66 % settlements of Korosten raion accumulated the doses in the interval 5 20 mSv during 30 years after the accident. For the residents of about 25 % settlements the accumulated dose is in the interval 20-50 mSv, and for 7 % of settlements it exceeds 50 mSv.

Nuclear fuel cycle and its impact on the environment

In this paper, we consider the present-day situation and outlooks of the development of nuclear power generation in Russia and other countries. It was noted that the implementation of the concept of a closed nuclear-fuel cycle accepted in Russia relies on the solution of the problem of the disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and radioactive waste (RAW). This paper presents the main results of investigations focused on the development of radiation-safe methods of manufacturing nuclear fuel elements, including mixed uranium–plutonium oxide fuel for fast-neutron reactors; creation of low waste-production technologies of SNF processing and RAW disposal; and the analysis of fundamental features of the behavior and speciation of radionuclides in environmental objects for the development of efficient methods of radioecological monitoring and remediation of radionuclide-contaminated areas.

Membrane luminescence determination of technogenic actinides and their speciation in environmental objects

Researchers of the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences created a luminescence photometer of a new generation for the determination of trace amounts of uranium and transuranium elements (TUE). The limits of detection for actinides vary from 0.3 pg for uranium and neptunium to 2.0 pg for plutonium. For 237Np, the relative limit of detection is 0.008 Bq/L. The photometer was tested in the radioecological monitoring of a number of polluted zones in Russia. The dynamics of actinide migration in all of the studied zones enhanced in the series 239Pu 241Am > 239Pu irrespectively of the soil. In the group of humic acids, concentrations of radionuclides increased in the series 237Np < 239Pu < 241Am. The sorption coefficients of radionuclides by bottom sediments of the Markha River (Kraton-3 underground nuclear explosion site) and Lake Kyzyltash (East Urals Radioactive Trace) were calculated. Bioaccumulation factors of radionuclides by different plants in the impact area of the Kraton underground nuclear explosion were determined depending on the plant type.

Anthropogenic tritium in the Loire River estuary, France

This work is carried out in the frame of a radioecological monitoring of anthropogenic tritium from upstream and downstream of several nuclear power plants along the Loire River to its estuary. This paper studies the variation of anthropogenic tritium species in the Loire River system from upstream to the mouth of the estuary. Tritiated water (HTO and HTO in sediment pore water) and organically bound tritium (OBT) forms were analysed after dedicated pre-treatments. The collected environmental samples consist in (i) surface-sediment and core samples from the river floor, (ii) surface and water column samples. A maximum 3H activity concentration of 26±3Bq·L−1 in the Loire River estuary is obtained whereas an environmental background level around 1Bq·L−1 is determined for a non influenced continental area by anthropogenic activities. The European follow-up indicator used as a screening value is 100Bq·L−1. The conservative tritium behaviour was used in order to characterize the tidal regime and river flow influences in the mixing zone of the Loire River estuary. Furthermore, OBT levels and total organically carbon (TOC) content are explored. Finally, ratios of OBT relative to HTO in sediment pore water in surface-sediment and core samples are also discussed.

Analysis of microsatellite DNA in rodents from Eastern Urals Radioactive Trace zone and contiguous territories

The variability of four microsatellite loci of rodents, caught from the head part of Eastern Urals Radioactive Trace (EURT), along with the rodents inhabiting contiguous zone with background radiation level and distant-reference territory, was analyzed forthe first time. Differences in the parameters of genetic diversity between northern red-backed voles from the EURT zone and from the reference population were detected. An increase in some indices of genetic diversity in animals from a contiguous to the EURT zone was found; this is probably associated with animal migration and configuration of the area of pollution. A transfer of radiation-induced effects to the contiguous territories and a decrease in the possibility of fixation of adaptations in a series of generations of mobile rodent species in the area of local radioactive pollution are consequences of migrations. The results of the study make it possible to recommend microsatellite markers for the analysis of radiation-induced effects in rodents as model objects of radioecological monitoring.

Evaluation of the Effect of Radiation on the Biota Within the Regions of the Leningradskaya and Beloyarskaya NPPs

A comparative evaluation of the effect of ionizing radiation on the biota in the regions of the Leningradskaya and Beloyarskaya NPPs based on radioecological monitoring is made. The dose loads on the representative organisms of the biota are calculated. The indices of the radiation action on these organisms are evaluated taking account of the dose limits. The irradiation dose rate (10 μGy/h) on the components of the environment in the 30-km zone of the Beloyarskaya NPP is found to be slightly above the most stringent standard for the maximum dose rate.

Development of a mathematical model of the system of integrated radio ecological monitoring of dniprodzerzhynsk town

Seven tailings dams and two uranium waste storages were formed in the Dniprodzerzhynsk city (Ukraine) in the PA "Pridneprovsky Chemical Plant" (PA "PCP") influence zone after a long mining and processing of uranium ore (1949 - 1991). Protective covers of most tailings dams and engineering facilities of the uranium production infrastructure in the PA "PCP" territory are poor and getting worse every year under the influence of natural factors and because of the lack of remedial operations. Given the current difficult economic situation in Ukraine, least-cost creation of an effective system of integrated automated radioecological monitoring of the Dniprodzerzhynsk industrial - urban agglomeration area and influence zone of tailings dams is necessary. This was proposed to do by using a mathematical description of the monitoring system through the control loop, which describes the elements of influence on the management object in accordance with the received commands. The measurement results in the management object state are fixed by observation elements and a new management cycle begins. This differs from the systems, previously suggested for this area since the proposed control loop can be used not only for fixed, but also for mobile posts. The developed mathematical model has allowed to justify the optimal number of posts that are be placed in the Dniprodzerzhynsk industrial - urban agglomeration and the influence zone of tailings dams to control the difficult ecological situation in the given area.

Ionizing radiation effects on soil biota: Application of lessons learned from Chernobyl accident for radioecological monitoring

Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and some other neighboring countries bear the heritage of several Soviet era nuclear disasters and the resulting severe radioactive pollution of vast territories. The most famous of them is the Chernobyl catastrophe on April 26, 1986 which resulted in a massive radioisotope fallout (0.185 MBq m−2 or higher) over about 25,000 km2 of the territory of the former USSR alone. Extensive radioecological research around Chernobyl demonstrated that despite high resistance of most of soil-dwelling organisms to ionizing radiation, some soil animals were very vulnerable to radioactive pollution due to low motility, direct contact with hot particles and radioisotope accumulation in soil. These are the reasons that soil organisms are very important organisms for long-term radioecological observations. In this review, we analyze published data on the response of different soil taxa to radioisotope contamination of soil near Chernobyl and other nuclear accident locations. Field results are compared with the available experimental data. Earthworms, millipedes, collembolans and oribatid mites were recognized as the most appropriate biomonitors of different radioactivity levels and types of radioactive pollution. Synthesis of this knowledge allowed us to propose a multilevel system of soil radioecological monitoring, which may be useful for studying the short- and long-term environmental consequences of the recent catastrophe at Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant in Japan, as well as other locations vulnerable to radioactive pollution.

RADIECOLOGICAL MONITORING IN SERBIA

Radio-ecological monitoring of the environment encompasses the measures of specific radionuclide activity in the samples from the environment that is relevant for the exposure of inhabitants, first of all in air, drinking water, food and in some typical representatives of flora and fauna with characteristic features of radioactive contamination (the ability of radionuclide to concentrate). The aim of monitoring is: a) timely detection and identification of all uncontrolled radiation sources or radiation contamination; b) assessment of real and possible exposure of the critical group or inhabitants to radioactive matters in the environment due to use of any radiation sources; c) keep the record on the radioactivity level in the environment; d) check if all the legislative regulations and other restrictions are fulfilled; e) inform the public. According to the final results of measuring different samples form the territory of the Republic of Serbia in the period 1986 to 2008, it may be concluded that the level of natural and artificial (long-lived) radionuclides (originating from Chernobyl) was low, in tolerant and acceptable levels.