Evolution of radioecology in Armenia: a short review.

Purpose: The article generalizes the evolution of radioecological studies conducted by female scientists in Armenia in the period of 1950-2020. Radioecological studies were launched in 1958, prior to the construction of the ANPP and major nuclear disasters.

Conclusion: The obtained results allowed the revealing peculiarities of distribution and accumulation of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) and artificial radionuclides in the natural environment, urban sites and industrial centers. Series of national environmental monitoring programs were designed in order to reveal the main migration pathways of NORM and artificial radionuclides, as well as the assessment of exposure to natural and induced radiation.