Tritium distribution in the ‘water-soil-air’ system in the Semipalatinsk Test Site

Abstract

This article presents research findings on 3H in abiotic environmental compartments, specifically, the ‘water-soil-air’ system. All of the research areas are located within the Semipalatinsk Test Site (STS): the perimeter of the ‘Degelen’ site, the riverside zone of the Shagan river and the ‘background’ area–the southeastern part of the STS (SEP). As research progressed, numerical values of 3H and its species were revealed in various environmental compartments. The presence of 3H was registered not only in underground nuclear test locations but also in the ‘background’ area–SEP. Maximum 3H tritium concentrations in the water were detected at the ‘Degelen’ site (up to 57000±5000 Bq/kg) and the Shagan riv (up to 61500±6000 Bq/kg), in the air of the ‘Degelen’ site (up to 56±11 Bq/m3), in the soil of the ‘Degelen’ site (up to 5170±500 Bq/kg) and the Shagan riv (4100±400 Bq/kg) in the free water, at SEP (up to 1710±170 Bq/kg) in the organic constituent. Based upon all of the findings, 3H was found to be readily distributed in abiotic environmental compartments depending on certain conditions. Research suggests that water plays a key role in 3H migration processes in the natural system of interest. The second most but equally important constituent is soil and microorganisms of plant and animal origin living there. These assumptions are indirectly proven by research findings that show the HTO and HT air concentration dynamics depending on the sampling location.