Radioecological impacts of the Techa River contamination

Journal Article · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 2000 · Health Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-200007000-00008· OSTI ID:20080416

Akleyev, A V; Kostyuchenko, V A; Peremyslova, L M; Baturin, V A; Popova, I Y

During the years 1949--1952, the Mayak Production Association (MAYAK), which was processing weapons-grade plutonium, was discharging radioactive wastes into the Techa River. As a result, all components of the river system (water, bottom soils, and flood plains) were exposed to massive radioactive contamination. The protective measures taken in the 1950's resulted in the improvement of the radioecological conditions in the Techa River. After 1952, the radioecological conditions in the area were mostly determined by the long-lived radionuclides {sup 90}Sr and {sup 137}Cs. This article focuses on the dependencies governing the migration of radionuclides along the vertical and horizontal planes in different components of the river system over a 40-y period. Until the 1990's, a decrease in {sup 90}Sr and {sup 137}Cs contents was noted in environmental samples and foodstuffs produced in riverside villages. In the subsequent years, the radioecological situation on the Techa stabilized. The sources of the current contamination of the river are represented by the runoffs from by-pass canals and swampy upper reaches.

• Research Organization: Urals Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Chelyabinsk (RU)
• OSTI ID: 20080416
• Journal Information: Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 79; ISSN HLTPAO; ISSN 0017-9078
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CESIUM 137
CONTAMINATION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MAYAK PLANT
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
STRONTIUM 90
TECHA RIVER