Mobility and Bioavailability of the Chernobyl-Derived Radionuclides in Soil–Water Environment: Review

Konoplev, A.

doi:10.1007/978-981-15-3568-0_3

Cited by 11 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…The ability of radionuclides to migrate in soil decreases in the following sequence: 90 Sr > 137 Cs > Pu≈ 241 Am isotopes 33 , 34 . For radionuclides initially associated with FP, such as 90 Sr, radionuclide mobility in soils was limited by dissolution of fuel matrix and radionuclide release to mobile forms 41 , 43 , 44 . Studies carried out during the first decade following the accident reported downward migration rates of radionuclides in soil of an order of 1 ± 0.5 cm y −1 or less 3 , 23 , 25 , 59 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural attenuation processes control groundwater contamination in the Chernobyl exclusion zone: evidence from 35 years of radiological monitoring

Bugai

Kireev²,

Hoque

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) contains the vast majority of radionuclides released by the accident in nuclear fuel particle form. We present and analyze groundwater measurements collected from the monitoring network in CEZ covering key aquifers over 35 years since the accident. These new data, together with a comprehensive analysis of historical data shows that 90Sr remains mobile in the subsurface environment, while groundwater concentrations of 137Cs, Pu isotopes and 241Am are relatively low, and are not of radiological concern. During the last two decades, 90Sr and 137Cs levels have declined or remained stable over time in the majority of monitoring locations. This is due to natural attenuation driven by gradual exhaustion of the fuel particle source, geochemical evolution of groundwater downstream from waste dumps and radionuclide retention in surface soil due to absorption and bio-cycling. Decommissioning of the cooling pond and construction of the ‘New safe confinement’ over Unit 4 (damaged reactor) also favored better protection of groundwater close to the Chernobyl plant site. Data from confined and unconfined aquifers, as well as rivers, evidence low radiological risks from groundwater contamination both outside the CEZ and to onsite “self-settlers”. Though several groundwater contamination “hot spots” remain in the vicinity of Unit 4, “Red Forest” waste trenches and surface water bodies with contaminated bottom sediments, the findings of this study support a monitored natural attenuation approach to groundwater management in the CEZ.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural attenuation processes control groundwater contamination in the Chernobyl exclusion zone: evidence from 35 years of radiological monitoring

Bugai

Kireev²,

Hoque

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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“…On the other hand, radiocesium incorporated in fuel particles is not available for direct exchange with water and dissolution. It is nonexchangeable, less mobile, and bioavailable as compared with the radiocesium of condensation particles [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Condensation particles formed following the Chernobyl accident were similar to the global fallout after nuclear weapon tests, and their behavior in the environment could be foreseen with fairly good precision [ 21 ].…”

Section: Speciation Of Radiocesium and Its Transformation In Soil–wat...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Condensation particles formed following the Chernobyl accident were similar to the global fallout after nuclear weapon tests, and their behavior in the environment could be foreseen with fairly good precision [ 21 ]. At the same time, before the Chernobyl accident, it was not known how fuel particles could behave, and, therefore, this was a major scientific challenge [ 5 , 21 , 23 , 27 ].…”

Section: Speciation Of Radiocesium and Its Transformation In Soil–wat...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to the presence of water-insoluble fuel particles, the mobility and bioavailability of deposited radiocesium were low in the nearby zone and depended on the distance from the damaged unit [ 7 , 27 ]. For example, the fraction of nonexchangeable 137 Cs in the fallout near Chernobyl was about 75% [ 21 , 28 ]; in the Bryansk region, it was 40–60% [ 27 ]; and in Cumbria (UK), it was about 10% [ 29 ]. Therefore, the Chernobyl radiocesium was less mobile and bioavailable in the area close to the NPP than in remote areas, especially in Western Europe [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

Section: Speciation Of Radiocesium and Its Transformation In Soil–wat...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Radionuclide leaching from fuel particles was the key process with respect to the transformation of its speciation in a soil–water environment after the Chernobyl accident in the midterm and for some specific conditions in the long term [ 5 , 21 , 27 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Radionuclides are released from fuel particles by three mechanisms: (1) due to the diffusion from the particle to the surface and passing into the solution; (2) by mechanical disintegration of the particle and the correspondent increase in the surface of the solid–liquid interface; and (3) with the dissolution of the fuel matrix [ 33 ].…”

Section: Speciation Of Radiocesium and Its Transformation In Soil–wat...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fukushima and Chernobyl: Similarities and Differences of Radiocesium Behavior in the Soil–Water Environment

Konoplev

2022

Toxics

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In the wake of Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents, radiocesium has become a radionuclide of most environmental concern. The ease with which this radionuclide moves through the environment and is taken up by plants and animals is governed by its chemical forms and site-specific environmental characteristics. Distinctions in climate and geomorphology, as well as 137Cs speciation in the fallout, result in differences in the migration rates of 137Cs in the environment and rates of its natural attenuation. In Fukushima areas, 137Cs was strongly bound to soil and sediment particles, with its bioavailability being reduced as a result. Up to 80% of the deposited 137Cs on the soil was reported to be incorporated in hot glassy particles (CsMPs) insoluble in water. Disintegration of these particles in the environment is much slower than that of Chernobyl-derived fuel particles. The higher annual precipitation and steep slopes in Fukushima-contaminated areas are conducive to higher erosion and higher total radiocesium wash-off. Among the common features in the 137Cs behavior in Chernobyl and Fukushima are a slow decrease in the 137Cs activity concentration in small, closed, and semi-closed lakes and its particular seasonal variations: increase in the summer and decrease in the winter.

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Atmospheric Transport of Radionuclides Initially Released as a Result of the Chernobyl Accident

Таlerko

Garger

Lev

et al. 2020

Behavior of Radionuclides in the Environment II

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Mobility and Bioavailability of the Chernobyl-Derived Radionuclides in Soil–Water Environment: Review

Cited by 11 publications

References 63 publications

Natural attenuation processes control groundwater contamination in the Chernobyl exclusion zone: evidence from 35 years of radiological monitoring

Natural attenuation processes control groundwater contamination in the Chernobyl exclusion zone: evidence from 35 years of radiological monitoring

Fukushima and Chernobyl: Similarities and Differences of Radiocesium Behavior in the Soil–Water Environment

Atmospheric Transport of Radionuclides Initially Released as a Result of the Chernobyl Accident

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