137Cs Pollution in Soils and Plants of Urban Ecosystems near the Elektrostal Heavy Machinery Plant

In urban ecosystems to the west of the Elektrostal Heavy Machinery Plant, six years after the radiation incident, local sites with a total area of 0.2 km 2 with an increased equivalent dose rate of γ radiation of 0.15–0.40 μSv/h and a high specific activity of 137 Cs reaching 8328–8740 Bq/kg in the upper soil horizons were identified. Statistically significant direct correlations were noted between the specific activity of 137 Cs in the layer of 0–10 cm of soil and the equivalent dose rate of γ radiation at the surface and height of one meter. The types of vertical distribution of 137 Cs in soils of polluted urban ecosystems, including those on which earth decontamination works were carried out, have been determined. The calculated 137 Cs transfer coefficients increase in the series of trees Salix alba < Sórbus aucupária < Ácer platanoídes < Malus domestica < Alnus incana < Ácer negúndo ; and grassy vegetation Týpha angustifólia < Artemísia vulgáris < Tussilágo fárfara < Cirsium arvense < Urtíca dióica.