Research into the current radiological state of air and monitoring observations on STS and the adjacent territory

• Published in: Journal of environmental radioactivity Vol. 264; p. 107199
• Main Authors: Turchenko, D.V., Aidarkhanov, А.О., Aidarkhanova, А.К., Aktayev, М.R., Dashuk, А.L., Kruglykhin, A.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2023
• Subjects: Air aerosols; Air monitoring; Atomic lake; Background level; Excavation nuclear explosions; Semipalatinsk test site; Excavation nuclear explosions; Air monitoring; Atomic lake; Air aerosols; Background level; Semipalatinsk test site
• ISSN: 0265-931X; 1879-1700
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107199

The article presents the assessment of levels and the pattern of STS air radioactive contamination. Levels of air radioactive contamination with artificial radionuclides at different distances from ground zeros of nuclear tests (0.08–10 km) were determined. The maximum concentration of 239+240Pu in the air did not exceed 6.5·10−3 Bq/m3 at the crater ridge of the “Atomic Lake”, the one at the P3 technical site, the “Experimental Field”, reached 1.6·10−2 Bq/m3. Based upon monitoring observation data (2016–2021) on the STS territory, 239+240Pu concentration in the air of the “Balapan” and “Degelen” sites varied between 3.0·10−9 and 1.1·10−6 Bq/m3. In settlements adjacent to the STS territory, 239+240Pu concentrations in the air is: Kurchatov t. – 3.0·10−9 to 6.0·10−7 Bq/m3, the Dolon small village – 4.5·10−9 to 5.8·10−6 Bq/m3, the Sarzhal small village – 4.4·10−7 to 1.3·10−6 Bq/m3. Values derived for concentrations of artificial radionuclides at STS observation posts and the adjacent territory are at the level of background values for this region. •The concentrations of 239+240Pu were determined at the epicenters of nuclear tests of STS.•The concentrations of 239+240Pu were determined at different distances from the epicenters.•Concentrations of radionuclides were determined at industrial facilities and in settlements.