Accumulation of artificial radionuclides in vegetation cover in the area of underground nuclear tests locations in the Sary-Uzen site of the Semipalatinsk Test Site
Krivitskiy P. Larionova N. Toporova A. Aidarkhanova A. Monayenko V. Kunduzbayeva A. Kabdyrakova A. Polevik V. Aidarkhanov A.
15 January 2026Elsevier B.V.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
2026#502
This study aimed to assess the activity contamination levels and transfer of artificial radionuclides (241Am, 137Cs, 90Sr, and 239+240Pu) from soils to plants at underground nuclear test borehole locations in the Sary-Uzen site of the Semipalatinsk Test Site. Soil and vegetation samples were collected near warfare boreholes with different contamination patterns, conditionally “background” areas, and fallout plume sites. Peak activity concentrations in soils were recorded near borehole No. 102 for 137Cs and near borehole No. 215 for 241Am, 90Sr, and 239+240Pu. In plants, the highest 137Cs and 90Sr were observed near borehole No. 102, and that of 241Am and 239+240Pu near borehole No. 215. Transfer factors indicated that plant uptake followed the order: 90Sr > 137Cs > 239+240Pu > 241Am. Littoral–aquatic plants accumulated more 90Sr, whereas terrestrial plants accumulated more 239+240Pu. The maximum total exposure dose rate to vegetation reached 74 µGy/day. These findings highlight the influence of test type and contamination pattern on radionuclide behavior in ecosystems and provide a basis for radiological risk assessment in former nuclear test areas.
Artificial radionuclides , Doses , Plants , Semipalatinsk Test Site , Transfer factor
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National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NNC RK), Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
Branch ‘Institute of Radiation Safety ad Ecology’ RSE NNC RK, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
Shakarim State University of Semey, Semey, Kazakhstan
National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NNC RK)
Branch ‘Institute of Radiation Safety ad Ecology’ RSE NNC RK
Shakarim State University of Semey
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Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026