RADIATION DOSE ASSESSMENT FOR THE BIOTA OF TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS IN THE SHORELINE ZONE OF THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT COOLING POND
Radiation exposure of the biota in the shoreline area of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Cooling Pond was assessed to evaluate radiological consequences from the decommissioning of the Cooling Pond. The article addresses studies of radioactive contamination of the terrestrial faunal complex and radionuclide concentration ratios in bodies of small birds, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles living in the area. The data were used to calculate doses to biota using the ERICA Tool software. Doses from {sup 90}Sr and {sup 137}Cs were calculated using the default parameters of the ERICA Tool and were shown to be consistent with biota doses calculated from the field data. However, the ERICA dose calculations for plutonium isotopes were much higher (2-5 times for small mammals and 10-14 times for birds) than the doses calculated using the experimental data. Currently, the total doses for the terrestrial biota do not exceed maximum recommended levels. However, if the Cooling Pond is allowed to drawdown naturally and the contaminants of the bottom sediments are exposed and enter the biological cycle, the calculated doses to biota may exceed the maximum recommended values. The study is important in establishing the current exposure conditions such that a baseline exists from which changes can be documented following the lowering of the reservoir water. Additionally, the study provided useful radioecological data on biota concentration ratios for some species that are poorly represented in the literature.
- Research Organization:
- Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC09-08SR22470
- OSTI ID:
- 1024189
- Report Number(s):
- SRNL-STI-2011-00529; HLTPAO; TRN: US1104670
- Journal Information:
- HEALTH PHYSICS JOURNAL, Journal Name: HEALTH PHYSICS JOURNAL; ISSN 0017-9078
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
AMPHIBIANS
BIRDS
CONCENTRATION RATIO
CONTAMINATION
COOLING PONDS
DECOMMISSIONING
DRAWDOWN
MAMMALS
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATIONS
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOBIOLOGY
REPTILES
RISK ASSESSMENT
SEDIMENTS
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
WATER