90Sr, 137Cs and (239,240)Pu concentration surface water time series in the Pacific and Indian Oceans--WOMARS results.

Under an IAEA's Co-ordinated Research Project "Worldwide Marine Radioactivity Studies (WOMARS)" 90Sr, 137Cs and (239,240)Pu concentration surface water time series in the Pacific and Indian Oceans have been investigated. The Pacific and Indian Oceans were divided into 17 latitudinal boxes according to ocean circulation, global fallout patterns and the location of nuclear weapons test sites. The present levels and time trends in radionuclide concentrations in surface water for each box were studied and the corresponding effective half-lives were estimated.

Environmental radioactivity in the South Urals 1990-1997. An international study supported by INTAS, EC and national funding.

Radioecological studies carried out in a joint co-operation between Russian, Ukrainian and Danish Laboratories are reported. The environmental impact of routine, discharges as well as accidental events, notably the Kyshtym accident in 1957 and the Karachay wind dispersion in 1968 have been studied. From measurements and based on model assumptions it has been estimated that the Ob river system outside Mayak, i.

Radioactive contamination in the Arctic--sources, dose assessment and potential risks.

Arctic residents, whose diets comprise a large proportion of traditional terrestrial and freshwater foodstuffs, have received the highest radiation exposures to artificial radionuclides in the Arctic. Doses to members of both the average population and selected indigenous population groups in the Arctic depend on the rates of consumption of locally-derived terrestrial and freshwater foodstuffs, including reindeer/caribou meat, freshwater fish, goat cheese, berries, mushrooms and lamb. The vulnerability of arctic populations, especially indigenous peoples, to radiocaesium deposition is much greater than for temperate populations due to the importance of terrestrial, semi-natural exposure pathways where there is high radiocaesium transfer and a long ecological half-life for this radionuclide.

Environmental radioactive contamination in Greenland: a 35 years retrospect.

Environmental studies of anthropogenic radionuclides in Greenland over four decades are reported. The studies have comprised the marine as well as the terrestrial environments and emphasis has been laid on measurements of 90Sr and 137Cs. The temporal and the spatial trends of these radionuclides are described.

Comparison of contaminants from different trophic levels and ecosystems.

The present paper provides an overview of the priority contaminants and media from the Greenland part of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program. Levels and accumulation patterns of heavy metals, POPs and a radionuclide (137Cs) are compared from the terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Of the nine compounds presented, seven (Cd, Hg, Se, sigma PCB, sigma DDT, sigma HCH, HCB) increased in concentration towards higher trophic levels.

Marine radioactivity in the Arctic: a retrospect of environmental studies in Greenland waters with emphasis on transport of 90Sr and 137Cs with the East Greenland Current.

The waters around Greenland have received radioactive contamination from three major sources: Global fallout, discharges from the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant Sellafield in the UK, and the Chernobyl accident in the Former Soviet Union (FSU). The global fallout peaked in the early 1960s. The radiologically most important radionuclides from this source are 90Sr and 137Cs.

Radioactive contamination of the Techa River, the Urals.

The Techa River in the Urals was contaminated with high-level radioactive waste from the MAJAK nuclear installation around 1950. The total discharge to the river amounted to 100 PBq with 90Sr and 137Cs contributing approximately 10 PBq each. This study has shown that the river presently contains approximately 0.

[The radioecological problems of Eurasia and the sources of radioactive environmental contamination in the former USSR].

There is three major sites of radioactive environmental contamination in the former USSR: the Chelyabinsk region in the Urals, Chernobyl NPP in Ukraine and Novaya Zemlya in the Arctic Ocean. The first mentioned is the most important with regard to local (potential) contamination, the last one dominates the global contamination. A number of sites and sources are less well known with regard to environmental contamination.

Concept of seasonality in the light of the Chernobyl accident.

Seasonality could have a strong influence on the radiological impact of environmental radioactive contamination. Short-lived radionuclides (e.g.

Environmental radiation and radioactive releases.

Today the most important anthropogenic radiation comes from atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons carried out 20-30 years ago, authorized discharges to the sea from nuclear reprocessing plants, and from the Chernobyl accident in 1986. In the past decade the International Union of Radioecologists (IUR) has contributed to improved international co-operation among radioecologists from all parts of the world through its creation of a number of working groups for specific radioecological problems. More than 30 years of radioecological studies have probably made the radioactive contamination of our environment the best-understood of all present pollution problems.

Further studies of plutonium and americium at Thule, Greenland.

Eleven years after the accidental loss of nuclear weapons in 1968, the fourth scientific expedition to Thule occurred. The estimated inventory of 1 TBq 239,240Pu in the marine sediments was unchanged when compared with the estimate based on the 1974 data. Plutonium from the accident had moved further away from the impact point and at some locations the vertical distribution indicated a downward displacement of Pu in the sediment column since 1974.

Environmental radioactivity in the Faroes in 1977.

Measurements of fallout radioactivity in the Faroes in 1967 are presented. Strontium-90 (and 137Cs in most cases) was determined in regularly collected samples of precipitation, grass, milk, fish, sea water, bread, and drinking water. In addition, analyses were made of spot samples of lamb, sea birds, potatoes, sea plants, vegetables, eggs, and human bone.

Environmental radioactivity in Greenland in 1977.

Measurements of fallout radioactivity in Greenland in 1977 are reported. Strontium-90 (and Cesium-137 in most cases) was determined in samples of precipitation, sea water, vegetation, animals, and drinking water. Estimates are given of the mean contents of 90Sr and 137Cs in the human diet in Greenland in 1977.

Environmental radioactivity in Greenland in 1976.

Measurements of fall-out radioactivity in Greenland in 1976 are reported. Strontium-90 (and Caesium-137 in most cases) was determined in samples of precipitation, sea water, vegetation, animals, and drinking water. Estimates are given of the mean contents of 90Sr and 137Cs in the human diet in Greenland in 1976.

Environmental radioactivity in the Faroes in 1976.

Measurements of fall-out radioactivity in the Faroes in 1976 are presented. Strontium-90 (and 137Cs in most cases) was determined in regularly collected samples of precipitation, grass, milk, fish, sea water, bread, and drinking water. In addition, analyses were made of spot samples of lamb, sea birds, potatoes, sea plants, vegetables, eggs, and human bone.

Environmental radioactivity in Greenland in 1974.

Measurements of fall-out radioactivity in Greenland in 1974 are reported. Strontium-90 (and Caesium-137 in most cases) was determined in samples of precipitation, sea water, vegetation, animals, and drinking water. Estimates are given of the mean contents of 90Sr and 137Cs in the human diet in Greenland in 1974.

Environmental Radioactivity in the Faroes in 1974.

Measurements of fall-out radioactivity in the Faroes in 1974 are presented. Strontium-90 (and 137Cs in most cases) was determined in regularly collected samples of precipitation, grass, milk, fish, sea water, bread, and drinking water. In addition, analyses were made of spotsamples of lamb, potatoes, sea plants, vegetables, eggs, and human bone.

Environmental Radioactivity in Denmark in 1974.

The present report deals with the measurement of fall-out radioactivity in Denmark in 1974. Strontium-90 was determined in samples from all over the country of precipitation, soil, ground water, sea water, grass, dried milk, fresh milk, grain, bread, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, total diet, drinking water, and human bone. Furthermore, 90Sr was determined in local samples of air, rain water, grass, sea plants, fish, and meat.