RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION OF RUSSIA BY CESIUM-137 AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY

Yu. A. Izrael, E. V. Kvasnikova, I. M. Nazarov, and E. D. Stukin

The original map compiled by the above authors on radioactive contamination of Russia (including its European and Asian parts) by cesium-137 is described as of 1999 on a 1 : 4,000,000 scale. The radioactive contamination by cesium-137 <%-2>is considered by large physiographical regions (countries). The present cesium-137 contamination field is presented as a result of superposition of global fallout of this radionuclide, mainly in the 1950—1960s, from atmospheric nuclear tests, regional fallout of 1986 from the Chernobyl NPP accident, local fallout from some nuclear explosions at the Novaya Zemlya and Semipalatinsk test sites, fallout from the Mayak Production Association accident, and dumping of liquid radioactive wastes into the Yenisei River by the Krasnoyarsk Mining and Chemical Enterprise. The total cesium-137 storage in the territory of Russia (1.53 million Ci), and the contribution of basic contamination of this radionuclide were estimated.