Radionuclide Contamination Measurements in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

Spatial datasets contain radionuclide deposition, radioactivity dose measurements, and radioactive particle activity from soil samples collected within and around the Ukrainian Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The data includes measurements for radiocaesium, radiostrontium, plutonium isotopes, and soil chemistry from samples collected between 1995 and 2014. It was compiled by the Environmental Information Data Centre with funding from the EU COMET and NERC TREE projects.

Use Cases

• Map spatial distribution of radiocaesium and radiostrontium deposition across the Exclusion Zone for environmental monitoring.
• Analyze temporal trends in plutonium isotope measurements from soil layers collected in 2000 and 2001.
• Correlate radioactivity dose measurements with soil chemistry parameters to assess contamination drivers.
• Study the radionuclide activity and physical characteristics of 'hot particles' extracted from soils in Ukraine and Poland.

Strengths

• Data spans multiple sampling campaigns from 1995 to 2014, providing a temporal perspective.
• Includes diverse measurement types: radionuclide deposition, dose rates, particle activity, and soil chemistry.
• Covers a defined geographic area: the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and the adjacent Ivankov region.

Limitations

• Sample row counts and specific column features are not detailed in the provided input.
• Data collection is not continuous, with gaps between the 1997, 2000/2001, and 2014 surveys.
• Geographic scope is focused on the CEZ and immediate surroundings, limiting broader regional analysis.

Provenance

Source

Environmental Information Data Centre

Collection Method

Soil sample collection and laboratory analysis for radionuclide activity, dose measurements, and soil chemistry.

Time Range

1995 to 2014

Freshness

null

Geography

Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (Ukraine) and adjacent Ivankov region; some samples from Poland.