title: Radioecological studies at the Kraton-3 underground nuclear explosion site in 1978-2007: a review.
abstract: Within this paper, radioecological data concerning the "peaceful" underground nuclear explosion Kraton-3, conducted at a remote Arctic location (65.9 degrees N, 112.3 degrees E) within the former USSR in 1978, are reviewed. The data and estimates published in the available literature sources before September 2008 could be grouped as following: (a) characterisation of the current radioactive contamination (gamma-, beta- and alpha-emitters) of environmental compartments in terms of radionuclides composition, activity concentration, area contamination density; (b) determination of current gamma dose rates in air, including mapping using GPS; (c) evaluation of cumulative gamma doses in air (with calculations and thermoluminiscence measurements in ceramic objects); (d) description of the visually distinguishable changes in the terrestrial ecosystem; (e) description and quantitative evaluation of morphological abnormalities in the organs of adult plants as well as in seeds and seedlings of some herbs and shrubs, and in small mammals; (f) application of countermeasures. Knowledge gaps and possible further studies are indicated.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiation Hygiene, Mira str. 8, 197101 St.-Petersburg, Russia. v.ramzaev@mail.ru
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramzaev
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mishin
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Golikov
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Argunova
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ushnitski
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zhuravskaya
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sobakin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Strand
mesh_terms: D001110:Arctic Regions; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D004463:Ecology; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005107:Explosions; D005720:Gamma Rays; D010944:Plants / Q000528:radiation effects; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D012426:Russia; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D014197:Trees / Q000528:radiation effects; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive