title: Radiological investigations at the "Taiga" nuclear explosion site: Site description and in situ measurements.
abstract: In the summer of 2009, we performed a field survey of the "Taiga" peaceful underground nuclear explosion site, the Perm region, Russia (61.30° N, 56.60° E). The explosion was carried out by the USSR in 1971. This paper provides an extended summary of the available published data on the "Taiga" experiment. A detailed description of the site is illustrated by original aerial and ground-level photos. A large artificial lake (700 m long and 350 m wide) currently occupies the central area of the experimental site. The ground lip surrounding the lake is covered by a newly grown mixed forest. In situ measurements, performed in August 2009, revealed elevated levels of the γ-ray dose rate in air on the banks of the lake "Taiga". Two hot spots were detected on the eastern bank of the lake. The excess of the γ-ray radiation is attributable to the man-made radionuclides (60)Co and (137)Cs. The current external γ-ray dose rate to a human from the contaminations associated with the "Taiga" experiment was between 9 and 70 μSv per week. Periodic monitoring the site is recommended.
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: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Repin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Medvedev
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Khramtsov
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Timofeeva
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Yakovlev
mesh_terms: D017753:Ecosystem; D005107:Explosions; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D012426:Russia; D014197:Trees; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D014867:Water