[The assessment of radionuclide contamination and toxicity of soils sampled from "experimental field" site of Semipalatinsk nuclear test site]

Radiats Biol Radioecol. 2009 Sep-Oct;49(5):595-607.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

Large-scale maps (1:25000) of soil contamination with radionuclides, lateral distribution of 137Cs, 90Sr, Fe and Mn water-soluble compounds and soil toxicity in "Experimental field" site of Semipalatinsk nuclear test site were charted. At present soils from studied site (4 km2) according to basic sanitary standards of radiation safety adopted in Russian Federation (OSPORB) do not attributed to radioactive wastes with respect to data on artificial radionuclide concentration, but they do in compliance with IAEA safety guide. The soils studied can not be released from regulatory control due to radioactive decay of 137Cs and 90Sr and accumulation-decay of 241Am up to 2106 year according to IAEA concept of exclusion, exemption and clearance. Data on bioassay "increase of Chlorella vulgaris Beijer biomass production in aqueous extract from soils" show that the largest part of soils from the studied site (74%) belongs to stimulating or insignificantly influencing on the algae reproduction due to water-soluble compounds effect. Toxic soils occupy 26% of the territory. The main factors effecting the algae reproduction in the aqueous extracts from soil are Fe concentration and 90Sr specific activity: 90Sr inhibits but Fe stimulates algae biomass production.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Americium / analysis
  • Cesium Radioisotopes / analysis
  • Chlorella vulgaris / growth & development
  • Chlorella vulgaris / radiation effects
  • Radiation Monitoring*
  • Radioactive Waste / analysis*
  • Russia
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / standards
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / toxicity*
  • Strontium Radioisotopes / analysis

Substances

  • Cesium Radioisotopes
  • Radioactive Waste
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Strontium Radioisotopes
  • Americium