Tritium uptake in crops in the area with a high level of atmospheric tritium oxide in the territory of the former Semipalatinsk test site.

During the period from 2019 to 2021, a series of experiments were carried out to study the uptake of tritium by crops in an area heavily contaminated with atmospheric tritium oxide (HTO), at the former Semipalatinsk test site in Kazakhstan. A quantitative assessment is given of the tritium uptake by typical crops (lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and beans) cultivated all over Kazakhstan in the case of a short-term tritium oxide vapor exposure. The plant samples were collected during and after exposure and analyzed for the tritium concentration in two chemical forms: tissue-free water tritium (TFWT) and organically bound tritium (OBT).

Radioecological characteristics of Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus Pal., 1771) inhabiting locations of nuclear weapon tests.

This paper reports the activity concentrations of 137Cs, 90Sr, 239+240Pu, 241Am, and 3Н in the form of tritiated water (НТО) and organically bound tritium (ОBТ) in the tissues and organs of roe deer (Capreolus pygargus Pal., 1771) that inhabit the 'Degelen' test location of the Semipalatinsk Test Site. Tissues and organs were sampled from six deer by killing.

Bioaccumulation of radionuclides in hoofed animals inhabiting the Semipalatinsk Test Site.

The article assesses the content of radionuclides in hoofed animals inhabiting the Semipalatinsk Test Site by calculation. Hoofed animals' faeces were sampled to determine the content of radionuclides in their diets. Based on values determined for the content of radionuclides in animals; diets, the content of radionuclides in the meat and milk of farm animals-cows (Bos taurus taurus), sheep (Ovis), goats (Capra hircus) and horses (Equus caballus Lin.

Vertical distribution of radionuclides in soil at the Semipalatinsk Test Site beyond its test locations.

Data on the vertical distribution of radionuclides in the soil is necessary to fully understand the radioecological situation around ecosystems, give predictive estimates to how safe crop products are and justify a rehabilitation strategy for radioactively contaminated areas. A study was conducted to investigate the vertical distribution of radionuclides in soils of the former Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS) territory beyond its testing sites, that is, in areas in which no nuclear weapons or nuclear effects of radiological warfare agents were tested. Soil was sampled layerwise all over the Semipalatinsk Test Site down to 30 cm deep at a 5-cm spacing.

The character of radionuclide contamination of natural lakes at the territory of the Semipalatinsk test site.

The paper presents data on the research of the radionuclide contamination redistribution in the ecosystems of natural lakes at the Semipalatinsk test site and adjacent territories. Natural lakes, which are the research objects, are located on the territory of the test sites, in the zone of their influence, in the zone impacted by radioactive fallout or in the "background" territories. Sampling of water, bottom sediments and plants was carried out, in which the content of radionuclides Am, Cs, Sr and Pu was determined.