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Radioactive Graphite Dispersion in the Environment in the Vicinity of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

Michael Buzinny
Michael Buzinny*
Affiliation:
The Marzeyev Institute for Hygiene and Medical Ecology, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, 50 Popudrenko Str., 02660 Kiev-94, Ukraine. Email: mbuz@ukr.net
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Abstract

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This paper estimates the radioactive graphite dispersion on the land surface (forest litter and soil) as a result of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) release. Graphite mass was calculated using an estimated average concentration of 2.5 × 107 Bq/kgC (carbon). The sample collection method, sample origin and its mass, and sample preparation procedure used for preparation of benzene were taken into account to obtain the optimum sensitivity of the method. Thus, the sensitivity of the corresponding method for graphite detection in forest litter was estimated to be 0.2 mg/m2. All analyses gave a range of deposited graphite from 0.12 to 52.6 mg/m2. The maximum value was observed at a site located 9 km west of the Chernobyl NPP. The results of the study indicate the importance of studying the upper layer of soil (0–5 cm) in addition to the lower layer of forest litter.

Type
Articles
Information
Radiocarbon , Volume 48 , Issue 3 , 2006 , pp. 451 - 458
Copyright
Copyright © The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona 

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