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Estimation of critical loads for radiocaesium in Fennoscandia and Northwest Russia

Howard, B.J.; Wright, S.M.; Barnett, C.L.; Skuterud, L.; Strand, P.. 2002 Estimation of critical loads for radiocaesium in Fennoscandia and Northwest Russia. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 60 (1-2). 209-220. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0265-931X(01)00104-7

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Abstract/Summary

The application of the critical loads methodology for radioactive contamination of Arctic and sub-arctic ecosystems, where natural and semi-natural food products are important components of the diet of many people, is proposed and discussed.The critical load is herein defined as the amount of radionuclide deposition necessary to produce radionuclide activity concentrations in food products exceeding intervention limits.The high transfer of radiocaesium to reindeer meat gives this product the lowest critical load, even though the intervention limit is relatively high compared with other products.Ecological half-lives of radiocaesium in natural and semi-natural products are often very long, and it is therefore important to take account of contamination already present in the event of an accident affecting areas where such products are important.In particular, the long ecological half-life for radiocaesium in moose meat means that the critical load is highly sensitive to prior deposition.An example of the potential application of the method for emergency preparedness is given for the Chernobyl accident

Item Type: Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1016/S0265-931X(01)00104-7
Programmes: CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Other
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas: _ Environmental Chemistry & Pollution
ISSN: 0265-931X
Additional Keywords: arctic, radiocaesium, critical loads, vulnerability, transfer, radioecology
NORA Subject Terms: Ecology and Environment
Date made live: 26 Apr 2012 14:12 +0 (UTC)
URI: https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/17745

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