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

Timonova L. Larionova N. Aidarkhanova A. Lyakhova O. Aktayev M. Serzhanova Z. Lukashenko S. Polevik V. Dashuk A. Monayenko V. Subbotin S. Aidarkhanov A.
April 2024 Public Library of Science

PLoS ONE
2024 #19 Issue 4 April

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.

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Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology, National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kurchatov, Kazakhstan
Shakarim State University of Semey, Semey, Kazakhstan

Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology
Shakarim State University of Semey

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

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