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Radioecology and the Restoration of Radioactive-Contaminated Sites

  • Book
  • © 1996

Overview

Editors:
  1. Felix F. Luykx

    1. International Union of Radioecology, Tervuren, Belgium

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    You can also search for this editor in PubMed   Google Scholar

  2. Martin J. Frissel

    1. International Union of Radioecology, Heelsum, Belgium

    View editor publications

    You can also search for this editor in PubMed   Google Scholar

Part of the book series: NATO Science Partnership Subseries: 2 (ASEN2, volume 13)

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Table of contents (22 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
    Download chapter PDF

  2. Introduction

    1. Origin and Aim of Radioecology

      • Arrigo A. Cigna
      Pages 1-15

    2. Development of Radioecology in East and West

      • Asker Aarkrog, Gennady G. Polikarpov
      Pages 17-29

    3. Inventory of Nuclear Releases in the World

      • Asker Aarkrog
      Pages 31-43

  4. Soils and Forests

    1. Assessment of Radionuclide Transfer from Soils to Plants and from Plants to Soils

      • P. J. Coughtrey
      Pages 75-84

    2. Soils Role in the Restoration of Terrestrial Sites Contaminated with Radioactivity

      • M. J. Frissel
      Pages 85-102

    3. Radioecology in the Urals; Investigations of Hydromorphous Soils

      • I. M. Molchanova, E. N. Karavaeva
      Pages 103-114

    4. A Modeling Approach to Remediation of Forests Contaminated by Radionuclides

      • W. R. Schell, I. Linkov
      Pages 115-136

    5. Model for the Evaluation of Long Term Countermeasures in Forests

      • M. J. Frissel, G. Shaw, C. Robinson, E. Holm, M. Crick
      Pages 137-154

    6. Mushrooms, Lichens and Mosses as Biological Indicators of Radioactive Environmental Contamination

      • M. G. Nifontova
      Pages 155-162

    7. Ecological Bases and Problems Associated with the Implementation of Agricultural Remedial Actions

      • C. M. Vandecasteele, O. Burton, R. Kirchmann
      Pages 163-178
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Keywords

About this book

Most of the nuclear facilities built since the Second World War have ceased active operation and have been decommissioned. Some of the sites are heavily contaminated with radioactive substances. Correct and efficient action to mitigate the radiological consequences of such contamination will only be possible when the behaviour of radionuclides in the terrestrial environment is sufficiently well known. Yet radioecologists often find it difficult to study the transfer of radioactivity in agricultural land and semi-natural ecosystems, because of the complexity and diversity of such environments. The present book presents an analysis of all the factors that affect the behaviour of radionuclides as they move from their point of release through the environment and then enter the tissues of biota living in the ecosystems, in particular plants and animals consumed by humans.
The course on which the book is based was held in a region that is heavily contaminated by radioactive discharges into the environment during nuclear weapons fabrication in the 1950s and '60s, and due to a severe accidental release following the explosion of a rad-waste tank in 1957. This allowed in situ training of the students.
The book's main emphasis is on specific radioecological problems in severely contaminated areas in the former Soviet Union: the Southern Urals Trail, the rivers Techa-Isert-Tobol-Irtis-Ob, and the 30 km zone around Chernobyl. Systems examined include soils, arable and pasture land, forests, lakes and rivers. Special attention is paid to the effects of radiation on natural ecosystems: trees, soil-dwelling organisms, and aquatic organisms. Synergistic effects are also considered. Short, medium and long term countermeasures are discussed.

Editors and Affiliations

  • International Union of Radioecology, Tervuren, Belgium

    Felix F. Luykx

  • International Union of Radioecology, Heelsum, Belgium

    Martin J. Frissel

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