VERTICAL MIGRATION OF RADIONUCLIDES IN THE VICINITY OF THE CHERNOBYL CONFINEMENT SHELTER

Mikhail D. Bondarkov, Viktor A. Zheltonozhsky, Maryna V. Zheltonozhskaya, Nadezhda V. Kulich, Andrey M. Maksimenko, Eduardo B. Farfán, G. Timothy Jannik, James C. Marra
2011 Health Physics  
Studies on vertical migration of Chernobyl-origin radionuclides in the 5-km zone of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) in the area of the Red Forest experimental site were completed. Measurements were made by gamma spectrometric methods using high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors with beryllium windows. Alpha-emitting isotopes of plutonium were determined by the measurement of the x-rays from their uranium progeny. The presence of 60 Co, 134,137 Cs, 154,155 Eu, and 241 Am in all soil
more » ... ers down to a depth of 30 cm was observed. The presence of 137 Cs and 241 Am were noted in the area containing automorphous soils to a depth of 60 cm. In addition, the upper soil layers at the test site were found to contain 243 Am and 243 Сm. Over the past ten years, the 241 Am/ 137 Cs ratio in soil at the experimental site has increased by a factor of 3.4, nearly twice as much as would be predicted based solely on radioactive decay. This may be due to "fresh" fallout emanating from the ChNPP Confinement Shelter.
doi:10.1097/hp.0b013e3182166472 pmid:21878761 fatcat:e6dozishmvbzbbxi6talh4xsla