Physical-chemical forms of radionuclides in atmospheric fallout, and their transformations in soil, after the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Energy Plant

Characterisation of radioactive particles in the environment†

“…Within the 30 km zone of Chernobyl, the rate of 137 Cs fixation to soil components is more rapid than the weathering rate of fuel particles, whereas for 90 Sr the rate of fixation is slower than the rate of release. 19 Hence the mobility and biological uptake of 90 Sr have been expected to increase with time. 20 Information on charge properties of radionuclides, interactions and degree of binding to hot particles or to natural components in soils can be obtained from reactivity studies, e.g., investigations of reversible and irreversible sorption processes (physical sorption, electrochemical sorption and chemisorption) by extraction procedures, sorption isotherms, distribution coefficients and mobility factors.…”

Radionuclide speciation and its relevance in environmental impact assessments

“…The BCF for uptake in vegetation for 134 Cs + tracer added to soil within the Chernobyl 30 km zone was significantly higher in 1988 than for 137 Cs deposited after the Chernobyl accident (Bobovnikova et al, 1991). Thus, for the same soil-vegetation system, the BCF for 134 Cs + ions was significantly higher than that for Cs associated with fuel particles.…”

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

“…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 ].…”