Detailed study of post-Chernobyl Cs-137 redistribution in the soils of a small agricultural catchment (Tula region, Russia).

A detailed study of Cs redistribution was conducted within a small agricultural catchment in the highly contaminated Plavsk radioactive hotspot in the Tula region of Central Russia, 32 years after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) accident, which occurred on April 26, 1986. Although more than three decades have passed since the Chernobyl NPP incident, Cs contamination is high. The Cs inventory varies from 67 to 306 kBq·m, which is 2-6 times higher than the radiation safety standard; however, the soils remain suitable for crop cultivation.