ARTIFICIAL RADIONUCLIDES IN THE FOREST LITTER AT THE TERRITORY ADJACENT TO SEMIPALATINSK TEST SITE

The paper provides results of research of concentration and distribution of artificial radionuclides in the components of forest litter and in the top soil layer of the pine forest of Priirtyshie long after nuclear tests at the territory of Semipalatinsk Test Site (the STS). Minimum and maximum values of specific activity were determined for ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, ²⁴¹Am, ^239+240Pu in the soils researched as well as in mineral and organic components of litter. Series of radionuclides were formed depending on their ability to be accumulated in the top layer of soil and in the components of forest litter. Dependence between concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs, ⁹⁰Sr, ²⁴¹Am, ^239+240Pu in the litter and its thickness was determined.

1. Krasnov V.P., Orlov A.A., Buzun V.O. et al. Applied forest radioecology. Zhitomir: Volyn, 2007. p. 680.

2. Dvornik A.M. Radioecological assessment of forest ecosystems after nuclear accidents: methodology, simulation, prediction: Ph.D. thesis (Biology): 06.03.03. Gomel: IL NANB, 1998. p. 40.

3. Scheglov A. I. Biogeochemistry of artificial radionuclides in forest ecosystems: Based on results of 10-year research in the Chernobyl accident impact zone. – M.: Science, 2000. – p. 268

4. Perevolotskiy A.N. Distribution of 137Cs and 90Sr in forest biocenoses: Gomel: RNIUP Institute of Radiology, 2006. p. 255.

5. Kulikov N.V., Molchanova I.V., Karavayeva E.N. Radioecology of land cover. – Sverdlovsk: UrD AS USSR, 1990. – p. 172.

6. Activity of radionuclides in large-volume samples. A measurement procedure with a gamma-spectrometer MI 2143-91: MI 5.06.001.98 RK. - Almaty, 1998. – p. 18.

7. A procedure to determine the content of plutonium-(239+240), strontium-90 artificial radionuclides in environmental objects (soil, ground, bottom sediments and plants). - Almaty, 2010. – p. 25.