Characterization of subsurface geometry and radioactivity distribution in the trench containing Chernobyl clean-up wastes

Bugai, D.; Kashparov, V.; Dewiére, L.; Khomutinin, Yu.V.; Levchuk, S.; Yoschenko, Vasyl

doi:10.1007/s00254-004-1218-6

Cited by 38 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Therefore, dose rates to the trees vary in a wide range, which is necessary for formulation of the dose rate/effect dependencies (according to Criterion B). The radioactivity distribution at the Red Forest site was studied in detail by the UIAR, the Institute of Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN, France) and the Institute of Geological Sciences (IGS, Ukraine) within the frameworks of several joint projects (Bugai et al 2005). The average However, the detailed characterization of the radioactivity distribution in the soil at the selected experimental sites was not a task of this study because the dose rate assessment for the trees was performed on different basis.…”

Section: Formation Of the Sampling Planmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronic Irradiation of Scots Pine Trees (Pinus Sylvestris) in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: Dosimetry and Radiobiological Effects

Yoschenko¹,

Kashparov²,

Melnychuk

et al. 2011

Health Physics

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To identify effects of chronic internal and external radiation exposure for components of terrestrial ecosystems, a comprehensive study of Scots pine trees in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone was performed. The experimental plan included over 1,100 young trees (up to 20 years old) selected from areas with varying levels of radioactive contamination. These pine trees were planted after the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident mainly to prevent radionuclide resuspension and soil erosion. For each tree, the major morphological parameters and radioactive contamination values were identified. Cytological analyses were performed for selected trees representing all dose rate ranges. A specially developed dosimetric model capable of taking into account radiation from the incorporated radionuclides in the trees was developed for the apical meristem

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Section: Formation Of the Sampling Planmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronic Irradiation of Scots Pine Trees (Pinus Sylvestris) in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: Dosimetry and Radiobiological Effects

Yoschenko¹,

Kashparov²,

Melnychuk

et al. 2011

Health Physics

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“…The CPS includes trench no.22, and was further equipped for in situ radioecological monitoring (Dewiere et al, 2004). The surface geological substrate hosting trench no.22 is fine quartz sands deposited by wind erosion (Bugai et al, 2005). Soddy-podzolic soils with light texture, high acidity and low base saturation dominate, and are typical of forested zones of the Chernobyl area (Shcheglov et al, 2001).…”

Section: Site Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sampling results of the waste material have been presented by Bugai et al (2002Bugai et al ( , 2005. They estimated the total inventory of initial radioactivity in trench no.22 in 2000 as 600 AE 240 GBq for 137 Cs and 290 AE 140 GBq for 90 Sr, with activity concentrations of the waste material varying from tens to thousands kBq kg À1 for both 137 Cs and 90 Sr.…”

Section: Site Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantings on long term 137Cs and 90Sr recycling from a waste burial site in the Chernobyl Red Forest

Thiry

Colle²,

Yoschenko³

et al. 2009

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

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“…The rapid expansion of an emerging nuclear industry immediately following World War II resulted in substantial volumes of low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) being generated from nuclear fuel cycle, weapons production, medical radioisotope and radiochemical research activities. Although there was no consensus at this time, low-level waste (and in some cases more active material) was commonly disposed of by burial in shallow trenches, as evidenced in the United States at Maxey Flats (1), Oak Ridge (2) and Hanford (3, 4); Canada at Chalk River (5); in the United Kingdom at Harwell (6) and LLRW (7); in Lithuania at Maišiagala (8); and more recently in Ukraine at Chernobyl (9) to name but a few. This was also the case for Australia’s only nuclear (research) reactor at Lucas Heights.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Response of microbial community function to fluctuating geochemical conditions within a legacy radioactive waste trench environment

Vázquez-Campos

Kinsela

Bligh

et al. 2017

Preprint

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During the 1960s, small quantities of radioactive materials were co-disposed with chemical waste at the Little Forest Legacy Site (Sydney, Australia) in three-metre-deep, unlined trenches. Chemical and microbial analyses, including functional and taxonomic information derived from shotgun metagenomics, were collected across a six-week period immediately after a prolonged rainfall event to assess how changing water levels impact upon the microbial ecology and contaminant mobility. Collectively, results demonstrated that oxygen-laden rainwater rapidly altered the redox balance in the trench water, strongly impacting microbial functioning as well as the radiochemistry. Two contaminants of concern, plutonium and americium, were shown to transition from solid-iron-associated species immediately after the initial rainwater pulse, to progressively more soluble moieties as reducing conditions were enhanced. Functional metagenomics revealed the potentially important role that the taxonomically-diverse microbial community played in this transition. In particular, aerobes dominated in the first day followed by an increase of facultative anaerobes/denitrifiers at day four. Towards the mid-end of the sampling period, the functional and taxonomic profiles depicted an anaerobic community distinguished by a higher representation of dissimilatory sulfate reduction and methanogenesis pathways. Our results have important implications to similar near-surface environmental systems in which redox cycling occurs.ImportanceThe role of chemical and microbiological factors in mediating the biogeochemistry of groundwaters from trenches used to dispose of radioactive materials during the 1960s is examined in this study. Specifically, chemical and microbial analyses, including functional and taxonomic information derived from shotgun metagenomics, were collected across a six-week period immediately after a prolonged rainfall event to assess how changing water levels influence microbial ecology and contaminant mobility.Results demonstrate that oxygen-laden rainwater rapidly altered the redox balance in the trench water, strongly impacting microbial functioning as well as the radiochemistry. Two contaminants of concern, plutonium and americium, were shown to transition from solidiron-associated species immediately after the initial rainwater pulse, to progressively more soluble moieties as reducing conditions were enhanced. Functional metagenomics revealed the important role that the taxonomically-diverse microbial community played in this transition. Our results have important implications to similar near-surface environmental systems in which redox cycling occurs.

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Characterization of subsurface geometry and radioactivity distribution in the trench containing Chernobyl clean-up wastes

Cited by 38 publications

References 5 publications

Chronic Irradiation of Scots Pine Trees (Pinus Sylvestris) in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: Dosimetry and Radiobiological Effects

Chronic Irradiation of Scots Pine Trees (Pinus Sylvestris) in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: Dosimetry and Radiobiological Effects

Impact of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) plantings on long term 137Cs and 90Sr recycling from a waste burial site in the Chernobyl Red Forest

Response of microbial community function to fluctuating geochemical conditions within a legacy radioactive waste trench environment

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