Assessment and rehabilitation of radioactively contaminated soils in residential and agricultural areas

Bryansk State Agrarian University, Bryansk, Russian Federation

^* Corresponding author: vasilenkov_sergey@mail.ru

Abstract

Our goal is to reduce internal and external radiation exposure to the value established by the standards of safety of life and health of the population of 1 mSv/year (millisievert/) and increase life expectancy. The article touches upon the problems related to the radioecological situation in the territory of settlements of the Bryansk region, plots of private farms (private farms) and country houses that were contaminated with cesium-137 radionuclide after the Chernobyl accident. The experience of rehabilitation works of previous years from 1986-2012 is considered. Their insufficient effectiveness has been revealed. Forecasts and prospects of water management rehabilitation measures at the present stage are also given. The urgent need to combat foci of radioactive contamination with a small area of 0.4 hectares (cesium spots), which are common on the territory of private farms and in the residential area of settlements in the Bryansk region, is emphasized. Annenkov B.N. and Yudintseva E.V. recommend washing the soil using solutions of various salts and acids (hydrochloric acid, iron salts, sodium, calcium and others), but this method of soil purification is well suited for use in small areas of suburban areas, private farms and lawns of settlements. At the Bryansk State University, at the Department of Environmental Management and Water Use, experiments were conducted to investigate the identification of the most intensive and effective methods of washing soils from cesium pollution. Periodic watering with the use of chemmeliorants and intensifiers has shown good results. Drip irrigation is slightly worse. But of particular interest is the flooding of closed depressions, at the bottom of which there are spots of cesium contamination. With proper organization of surface runoff, deep loosening, application of chemical fertilizers, taking into account the temperature regime of frost, very good results can be achieved here.