Article

Radioactivity of 137Cs and 90Sr components of the environment in the post-Chernobyl period in 2024

Oksana Dunaievska, Oleg Kovalchuk, Roman Makhinko, Oleksandr Basilchuk
Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the specific activity of environmental components and forestry products in the Bilokorovychi Village, Korosten District, Zhytomyr Region, for the content of radionuclides 137Cs and 90Sr, which entered them as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The study was conducted in accordance with the research topic “Monitoring studies of the biosphere of the Ukrainian Polissya” from September to November 2024 using dosimetric and radiometric methods. It was established that the exposure dose rate of gamma radiation complies with the radiation safety standards of Ukraine for populated areas: 18.3 ± 1.6 18.3 ± 1.6 μR/h was recorded in the forest, 12.7 ± 0.7 μR/h on agricultural land, and 14.7 ± 3.4 μR/h in the residential part of the village. The stems, leaves and dry fruits of blueberries exceed the requirements of DR-2006 for 137Cs content by 1.7 times and by 300 Bq/kg, respectively, while the activity of 90Sr is within the normal range. The specific activity of chaga, Viburnum and rosehip fruits complies with the requirements of DR-2006 and is 48.5 ± 3.6 Bq/kg, 13.7 ± 1.2 Bq/kg for 137Cs content, 27.9 ± 1.7 Bq/kg, and 90Sr activity is 89.9 ± 6.7 Bq/kg, 0.1 ± 0.01 Bq/kg, 0.1 ± 0.02 Bq/kg, respectively. The samples of honey mushrooms are suitable for consumption, since the specific activity of 137Cs is three times lower than the standard, and that of 90Sr is four times lower. The specific activity of porcini mushrooms for 137Cs is 2.1 times higher than the standard, and the accumulation of 90Sr is 15.7 times lower than the standard. The specific activity of moss for 137Cs is almost 5 times lower than the specific activity of soil, which was 893.9 ± 91.3 Bq/kg for 137Cs. Water from artesian wells in the village is suitable for consumption in terms of radiation indicators. Acorns moderately accumulate 137Cs and 90Sr (372.1 ± 17.2 Bq/kg and 143.9 ± 10.4 Bq/kg, respectively). Thus, studies have established that dry blueberries and dried porcini mushrooms are unfit for consumption

Download article

Received 03.12.2024

Revised 25.04.2025

Accepted 02.06.2025

https://doi.org/10.63341/esbur/1.2025.19
Retrieved from Vol. 16, No. 1, 2025
Pages 19-26

Suggested citation

Dunaievska, O., Kovalchuk, O., Makhinko, R., & Basilchuk, O. (2025). Radioactivity of 137Cs and 90Sr components of the environment in the post-Chernobyl period in 2024. Ecological Safety and Balanced Use of Resources, 16(1), 19-26. https://doi.org/10.63341/esbur/1.2025.19

References

  1. Barandovski, L., Šajn, R., Andonovska, K.B., Frontasyeva, M.V., & Stafilov, T. (2021). Modeling of the ambient radiation dose level by using passive moss biomonitoring in Macedonia. Journal of Radioanalytical Nuclear Chemistry, 330, 267-278. doi: 10.1007/s10967-021-07943-1.
  2. Beňová, K., Gašpareková, I., Dvořák, P., & Havelková, A. (2021). Сontamination of Slovak bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) with radiocaesium 137Cs in selected Slovak locations. Folia Veterinaria, 65(2), 48-57. doi: 10.2478/fv-2021-0017.
  3. Cannon, G., & Kiang, J.G. (2020). A review of the impact on the ecosystem after ionizing irradiation: Wildlife population. International Journal of Radiation Biology, 98(6), 1054-1062. doi: 10.1080/09553002.2020.1793021.
  4. Chobotko, G.M., Raichuk, L.A., Svydenko, I.K., & Umanskii, M.S. (2024). From crisis to recovery: Scientific endeavors of the Institute of Agroecology and Environmental Management of the NAAS of Ukraine in minimizing the consequences of the Chornobyl accident. Agroecological Journal, 2, 6-16. doi: 10.33730/2077-4893.2.2024.305647.
  5. Convention on Biological Diversity. (1992, June). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_030#Text.
  6. Drebot, O., & Zamula, C. (2020). Organizational aspects of forestry management in the conditions of radioactive pollution: The experience of Fukusima. Balanced Nature Management, 2, 42-50. doi: 10.33730/2310-4678.3.2020.212600.
  7. DSTU 4287:2004. (2004). Soil quality. Sampling. Retrieved from https://online.budstandart.com/ua/catalog/doc-page?id_doc=54569.
  8. DSTU ISO 5667-11:2005. (2005). Water quality. Sampling of samples. Part 11. Guidelines for sampling groundwater (ISO 5667-11:1993, IDТ). Retrieved from https://online.budstandart.com/ua/catalog/doc-page?id_doc=52474.
  9. Dunaievska, O., Sokulskyi, I., Melnyk, N., & Pitsil, A. (2024). Environmental problems of agriculture under martial law. Ecological Sciences, 1(52), 22-27. doi: 10.32846/2306-9716/2024.eco.1-52.1.3.
  10. Guan, Y., et al. (2023). Radioactivity research in mosses from typical Karst Regions in Leye Tiankeng, Southern China. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 261, article number 107145. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107145.
  11. Hachinohe, M., Hamamatsu, S., & Kawamoto, S. (2021). A review of the radioactive cesium behavior in Japanese agricultural, livestock, fishery products and their foods in the decade following the Fukushima nuclear accident. Food Science and Technology Research, 27(1).  doi: 10.3136/fstr.27.1.
  12. Kalda, G.S., Shevelya, V.V., Rybalka, K.A., & Żywiec, J. (2022). Analysis of radioactive contamination for the regions of Ukraine and Poland. Ukrainian Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, 6(012), 59-65. doi: 10.30838/j.bpsacea.2312.271222.59.911.
  13. Kotelevych, V., & Pinskу, О. (2022). The current state of food safety in terms of 137Cs content compared to 2010 in the context of food safety. Bulletin of Poltava State Agrarian Academy, 4, 246-258. doi: 10.31210/visnyk20222.04.29.
  14. Kotelevych, V., Pinsky, О., Honcharenko, V., & Budnik, Т. (2024). Veterinary and sanitary assessment of food products and food raw materials according to quality and safety indicators in 2023 in the Zhytomyr Region. Scientific Progress & Innovations, 27(2), 66-72. doi: 10.31210/spi2024.27.02.11.
  15. Kovalskiy, V.P., Drukovanyy, M.F., & Oliynyk, Yu.G. (2021). Analysis of ways to increase radiation-protection of building materials. Modern Technology, Materials and Design in Construction, 30(1), 33-41. doi: 10.31649/2311-1429-2021-1-34-41.
  16. Kozubenko, Yu. (2022). Radiation pollution of the environment in the context of global social and environmental problems of the ХХІst century. Scientia et Societus, 2, 118-125. doi: 10.31470/2786-6327/2022/2/118-125.
  17. Krasnov, V., Ivanyuk, I., Zhukovsky, O., Kurbet, T., & Orlov, O. (2022). Dynamics of 137Cs accumulation by cranberry on sphagnum bogs of Polissia of Ukraine. Scientific Horizons, 25(1), 68-75. doi: 10.48077/scihor.25(1).2022.68-75.
  18. Krushelnytska, K.O. (2022). Сurrent issues of ensuring personal and public safety by police officer during the performance of duty in a zone of radioactive contamination. Scientific Notes of Lviv University of Business and Law, 33, 215-222. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.7545900.
  19. Law of Ukraine No. 15/98-BVR “On the Protection of a Person from the Influence of Ionizing Radiation”. (1998, January). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/15/98-%D0%B2%D1%80.
  20. Law of Ukraine No. 2697-VIII “On the Basic Principles (Strategy) of the State Environmental Policy of Ukraine for the Period up to 2030”. (2019, February). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2697-19#Text.
  21. Law of Ukraine No. 791a-XII-BVR “On the Legal Regime of the Territory that has Undergone Radioactive Contamination as a Result of the Chornobyl Disaster”. (1991, February). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/791%D0%B0-12#Text.
  22. Nagornyi, Ye. (2024). Information technologies in the construction of the field of radiation pollution of the locality and forecasting. Environmental Safety and Natural Resources, 49(1), 155-160. doi: 10.32347/2411-4049.2024.1.155-160.
  23. Nikitina, O.V. (2021). Environmental evaluation of nuclide pollution rate of podzolized chernozem after long land use. Agrobiology, 1, 217-222. doi: 10.33245/2310-9270-2021-163-1-217-222.
  24. Oleshchenko, L.M., & Ilyin, M.O. (2023). Software analysis of radiation air pollution streaming data. Visnyk of Kherson National Technical University, 2(85), 187-195. doi: 10.35546/ kntu2078-4481.2023.2.26.
  25. Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 323-p “Strategy of Integrated Automated Radiation Monitoring System for the Period up to 2024”. (2022, April). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/323-2022-%D1%80#Text.
  26. Orlov, O.O. (2021). Regularities of 137Cs migration on geochemical barriers of marginal zone of mezotrophic bog in Ukrainian Polissya. Geochemistry of Technogenesis, 6(34), 58-60. doi: 10.15407/10.15407/geotech2021.34.058.
  27. Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 391-98-p “On Approval of the Regulation on the State Environmental Monitoring System”. (1998, March). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/391-98-%D0%BF#Text.
  28. Romanchuk, L., Lopatiuk, О., & Kovalova, S. (2019a). Еvaluation of the content of 137Cs radionuclide in food products of residents of radioactively contaminated territories in the long-term period after the Chornobyl accident. Scientific Horizons, 22(8), 82-86. doi: 10.33249/2663-2144-2019-81-8-82-86.
  29. Romanchuk, L., Lopatiuk, О., Kovalchuk, Y., & Kovalova, S. (2019b). Еvaluation of the content of 137Cs radionuclide in food products of forest origin of residents of radioactively contaminated territories in the long-term period after the Chornobyl accident. Scientific Horizons, 22(11), 108-112. doi: 10.33249/2663-2144-2019-84-11-108-112.
  30. Sitnikova, O., & Melnyk, A. (2022). Development of the algorithm to assess vulnerability of radiation sources. Nuclear and Radiation Safety, 1(93), 71-76. doi: 10.32918/nrs.2021.1(93).08.
  31. State Hygienic Standards “Permissible Levels of Cs 137 and Sr 90 Radionuclides in Food and Drinking Water”. (2006, May). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/z0845-06#Text.
  32. State Hygienic Standards “Radiation Safety Standards of Ukraine (RSSU-97)”. (1997, December). Retrieved from https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/rada/show/v0062282-97#Text.
  33. Tiutiunyk, V., Sobol, O., Kalugin, V., & Zakharchenko, J. (2020). Formation of the dynamic model for operative monitoring of the ecosystem’s pollution level through emergencies at nuclear power plants. Environmental Safety and Natural Resources, 33(1), 95-114. doi: 10.32347/2411-4049.2020.1.95-114.
  34. Trohymchuk, I.M. (2024). Forest ecosystems and their radiation pollution. Natural Sciences Education and Reasearch, 4, 108-111. doi: 10.32782/nser/2024-4.17.