Radioecology: Past, Present, Future

Abstract

The article deals with issues related to the development of radioecology as an independent scientific discipline. The achievements of the past years, the studies that are currently being carried out, as well as promising areas of development in this area are analyzed. A corrected periodization of the stages of development of radioecology is proposed, taking into account the experience accumulated to date in the field of this discipline. At the initial stage (1895-1929:), empirical material was collected; at the first stage (1930-1960), the theoretical foundation was laid and radioecology was formed as an independent discipline; at the second stage (1961-1990), intensive development of radioecology was noted, and at the third stage (1991-2010) - progressive development of radioecology; the forth modern stage of radioecology development falls at the beginning of the twentieth century (2011 - present). For each stage the main scientific achievements and evolution of ideas in the field of radioecology are considered. It is postulated that at present the development of this discipline is associated with the further improvement of world nuclear technologies, the elimination of the consequences of a number of radiation incidents (the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, 2011), the revision of the concept of radiation protection of the environment and a number of other provisions. Particular attention is paid to forest radioecology, one of the most important main directions of this science.