Air concentrations of radionuclides in the vicinity of Chernobyl and the effects of resuspension

Subsequent to the Chernobyl reactor accident in April 1986, there has been a large number of environmental measurements taken in the vicinity of the plant. An assessment of atmospheric and soil concentrations enables the importance of resuspension to be assessed, with particular regard to the spread of contamination. In the current study, measurements taken during August and September 1986 are considered for 134Cs, 137Cs, 141Ce, 103Ru, 106Ru, 95Nb and 95Zr and the results used to assess resuspension factors and resuspension rates. The possible effects of technogenic (i.e. mechanical) resuspension are also addressed with regard to decontamination activities.