Санкт-Петербургский научно-исследовательский институт радиационной гигиены имени профессора П.В. Рамзаева, Федеральная служба по надзору в сфере защиты прав потребителей и благополучия человека,
The article presents data on the radiation situation on the territories of the protected zones of peaceful nuclear explosions «Globus-2», «Agat» and «Rubin-1» based on the results of field studies in 2020. Peaceful nuclear explosions were conducted in the Arkhangelsk region for seismic exploration. The results of the radiation-hygienic state of protected zones and radiation safety in the territories adjacent to peaceful nuclear explosions are analyzed by the main indicators: the values of the ambient dose equivalent of gamma radiation, the identification of gamma-emitting radionuclides in situ by field gamma spectrometry, the specific activity of technogenic radionuclides in the soil and tritium in the water of reservoirs and drinking water sources. An assessment of the sanitary condition of the studied territories of protected zones of peaceful nuclear explosions is given. It was found that the levels of the ambient dose equivalent rate of the gamma radiation at all sites are at the level of fluctuations in the natural regional radiation background in the range of 0.08-0.20 microSv/h. On the territory of the protected zone of the peaceful nuclear explosion «Globus-2» were repeatedly identified areas of minor local soil contamination with 137Cs (the previous study was performed in 2011). Increased values of the ambient equivalent dose rate of gamma radiation (0.20 -0.22 μSv/h) and specific activity of 137Cs in two soil samples (154 and 160 Bq/kg, respectively) were found in these areas. The tritium content in the water of water supply sources does not exceed 5 Bq/kg. These values are typical for global levels of this radionuclide in water bodies. Remains of technological equipment were found on the territories of the protected zones of the peaceful nuclear explosions (especially in the protected zone of the explosion «Agat»), as well as rusty metal pipes and barrels, the remains of wooden structures, etc. Information signs installed on dilapidated concrete foundations at the mouths of combat wells of all surveyed peaceful nuclear explosions have subtle inscriptions. The presence of forest thickets in the places where the investigated peaceful nuclear explosions are conducted and their ignition during forest fires is a potential threat to the release of technogenic radionuclides during depressurization of the mouths of combat wells.
The aim of this study was to evaluate radiation situation at the "Pirit" peaceful underground nuclear explosion site. The peaceful underground nuclear explosion "Pirit" with the capacity of 37.6 kt оf TNT equivalent was carried out on May 25, 1981 on the territory of the Kumzhinskoye gas condensate field at a depth of 1.5 km. The field is located near the northern coast of the European part of Russia in the delta of the Pechora River (Nenets Autonomous District). The peaceful underground nuclear explosion "Pirit" was carried out with the aim to stop the uncontrolled gas gushing. Radiation situation is assessed according to the main indicators: dose rate values and content of technogenic radionuclides in soil and water. The radiation survey included determining geographic coordinates of specific landscape elements, measurement and sampling points using satellite navigators, measurement of ambient dose equivalent rate, identification of gamma-emitting radionuclides in situ by field gamma spectrometry, sampling of water, photo and video shooting. On the site of the underground nuclear explosion "Pirit" the values of the ambient dose equivalent rate were in the range of 0.050-0.089 μSv/h, which corresponds to the levels of the natural radiation background. No sites of local radioactive contamination of soil by 137 Cs were detected. The tritium content (less than 5 Bq/kg) in water bodies does not exceed the levels of fluctuations of this indicator in other regions of the European territory of Russia. The estimated value of the effective dose due to ingestion of tritium in drinking water in local settlements was 0.044 μSv/year. The radiation situation on the territory of the peaceful nuclear explosion "Pirit" meets the requirements of the Russian Sanitary Regulations and Standards 2.6.1.2819-10 "Ensuring the radiation safety of the population living in the regions of nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes " and currently does not pose a threat to public health. Due to the potential danger of technogenic radionuclides coming from the epicenter of the explosion to the surface for long-term radiation safety, it is necessary to organize radiation monitoring of the territory adjacent to the explosion site, determine the boundaries of the protected zone and set appropriate information signs warning of radiation danger.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.