Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika

The peer-reviewed scientific and technology journal. ISSN: 0204-3327

Analysis of Radioecological Monitoring Capabilities for Assessing the Impact of Normalized NPP Emissions on Agroecosystems

3/25/2025 2025 - #01 Environmental aspects of nuclear power

Spiridonov S.I. Mikailova R.A. Kuznetsov V.K.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2025.1.08

UDC: 621.311.25:614.876:504.064.2

The regulations for radioecological monitoring (REM) of agroecosystems in areas surrounding operational nuclear power plants (NPPs) are characterized by a high level of detail. Obtaining the required empirical data involves significant financial costs. This raises the question: to what extent do monitoring data reflect the impact of NPPs on the agricultural environment? Based on long-term emissions data from the Kursk and Rostov NPPs, the dynamics of radionuclide accumulation in soil of NPP origin were calculated. It was shown that the concentrations of long-lived 137Cs and 90Sr in soil increase over time during NPP operation by 30 – 40 times. However, a comparison of the calculations with REM data over many years indicates that the contribution of NPP-derived 137Cs and 90Sr to the specific activity of these radionuclides in soil does not exceed 0.01 – 0.1%. Thus, REM primarily detects 137Cs and 90Sr of global and Chernobyl origin. Due to the negligible NPP contribution, the spatial distribution of 137Cs within 30-km zones is uniform and follows a lognormal distribution. According to estimates, the activity levels of NPP-derived radionuclides in soil, recommended for REM, are below detection limits. The study concludes that REM guidelines for agroecosystems around NPPs should be optimized. Adjustments may include revising the list of radionuclides analyzed, reducing the types of agricultural products monitored, and increasing the intervals between sampling. The need to focus efforts on developing REM programs for assessing impacts in non-routine and emergency situations is emphasized.

References

  1. Spiridonov S.I., Kuznetsov V.K., Panov A.V., Titov I.E. To the question of optimisation of radioecological monitoring in the vicinity of nuclear fuel cycle enterprises. Radiation and Risk. 2019;28(4):44–53. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21870/0131-3878-2019-28-4-44-53 (in Russian).
  2. Kuznetsov V.K., Sanzharova N.I., Panov A.V., Isamov N.N. Radioecological Monitoring of Agroecosystems in the NPP Vicinity: Methodology and Results of Investigations. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2019;64(4):25–31. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12737/article_5d-1102809c5ac3.32613968 (in Russian).
  3. Fesenko S.V., Sanzharova N.I., Karpenko E.I., Isamov N.N., Kuznetsov V.K., Panov A.V., Tsigvintsev P.N. Radioecological Monitoring and its Role in Ensuring Safety of Nuclear Power Plants. Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika. 2021;4:19–30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2021.4.02 (in Russian).
  4. MU 13.5.13-00. Organization of state radioecological monitoring of agroecosystems in the zone of influence to radiation hazardous objects. Moscow, Publisher of the RAAS, 2000, 28 p.
  5. Spiridonov S.I., Mikailova R.A., Nushtaeva V.E. About the assessment of radiation doses for the population from NPP atmospheric releases within the compliance with the dose constraint for a single facility. Radiation Biology. Radioecology. 2021;61(6):664–670 (in Russian).
  6. Panov A.V., Isamov N.N., Kuznetsov V.K. Radioecological monitoring in the vicinity of Rostov NPP. The analysis of results of long-term investigations. Radiation Hygiene. 2019;12(2):54–65. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21514/1998-426X-2019-12-2s-54-65 (in Russian).
  7. Kuznetsov V.K., Panov A.V., Sanzharova N.I., Isamov N.N., Andreeva N.V., Geshel I.V., Sidorova E.V. The analysis of radioecological monitoring results in the vicinity of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant. Radiation Hygiene. 2020;13(2):19–30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21514/1998-426X-2020-13-2-19-30 (in Russian).
  8. Sanzharova N.I., Panov A.V., Isamov N.N., Kuznetsov V.K., Karpenko E.I., Andreeva N.V., Gordienko E.V. Concept and program of radiation-ecological monitoring in the areas of nuclear power plant placement. Monitoring of natural and agricultural ecosystems in areas of nuclear power plants: Proceedings of the RIRAE. Issue 3 (Ed. Prof. S.V. Fesenko). Obninsk: RIRAE Publ., 2020, p. 9–21 (in Russian).
  9. Environmental and source monitoring for purposes of radiation protection. IAEA Safety Standards Series No. RS-G-1.8. Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency, 2005, 119 p.
  10. Potapov V.N., Ivanov O.P., Luk’yanov V.V., Stepanov V.E., Korobova E.M., Mikhailovskaya L.N. Portable β-Spectrometer for 90Sr Activity Field-Measurements in Radioecology and Rehabilitation of Nuclear Energy Facilities. Atomic Energy. 2021;129(3):155–162. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10512-021-00728-5
  11. Robles B., Suárñez A., Mora J.C., Cancio D. Models implemented in the CROM code (Crom-code for impact assessment). Madrid, 2007, 60 p. (in Spanish).
  12. Generic models for use in assessing the impact of discharges of radioactive substances to the environment. Safety Reports Series No. 19. Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency, 2001, 229 p.
  13. The radiation situation on the territory of Russia and neighboring states in 2002-2022. Yearbooks, 2004 – 2023. Obninsk, Roshydromet, FSBI “NPO Typhoon” Publ., 2004–2023 (in Russian).
  14. Sanitary rules for the design and operation of nuclear power plants (SP AS-03). Sanitary rules and hygiene standards SanPin 2.6.1.24-03. Moscow, Ministry of Health of Russia, 2003, 41 p. (in Russian).
  15. Vasyanovich M.E., Ekidin A.A., Vasilyev A.V., Kryshev A.I., Sazykina T.G., Kosykh I.V., Kapustin I.A. Determination of radionuclide composition of the Russian NPPs atmospheric releases and dose assessment to population. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 2019;208–209:106006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106006
  16. Sazykina T.G., Kryshev A.I., Kryshev I.I. Analytical methods for dosimetry of ionizing radiation in the environment. Moscow: LLC “IPC “Maska”, 2024, 236 p. (in Russian).
  17. Spiridonov S.I., Kurtmulaeva V.E., Karpenko E.I. Comparative assessment of the dose load on the population from atmospheric emissions of enterprises of the nuclear-industrial complex in the region of the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant. Current issues of radioecology: Proceedings of the RIRAE. Issue 1. Ed. Corresponding Member of the RAS N.I. Sanzharova. Obninsk: RIRAE Publ., 2018, p. 58–66 (in Russian).
  18. Kuznetsov V.K., Sanzharova N.I., Alexakhin R.M. Radiation-hygienic aspects of the use of waters of cooling pond NPP for irrigating the agricultural land. Medical Radiology and Radiation Safety. 2004;49(6):27–36 (in Russian).
  19. Spiridonov S.I., Mikailova R.A., Fesenko S.V. Evaluation of the operational intervention levels for radiation protection of the public based on the emergency scenarios at Russian nuclear power plants. Radiation and Risk. 2023;32(1):36–47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21870/0131-3878-2023-32-1-36-47 (in Russian).
  20. Spiridonov S.I., Mikailova R.A. Approach to assessing monitoring operational intervention levels after an accident at a nuclear power plant using the RODOS system. Radiation and Risk. 2024;33(3):66–79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21870/0131-3878-2024-33-3-66-79 (in Russian).

nuclear power plants radioecological monitoring agroecosystems NPP radionuclides global and Chernobyl fallout specific soil activity probability density distribution population dose load

Link for citing the article: Spiridonov S.I., Mikailova R.A., Kuznetsov V.K. Analysis of Radioecological Monitoring Capabilities for Assessing the Impact of Normalized NPP Emissions on Agroecosystems. Izvestiya vuzov. Yadernaya Energetika. 2025, no. 1, pp. 113-127; DOI: https://doi.org/10.26583/npe.2025.1.08 (in Russian).

Open PDF file