Radiation biology. Radioecology
ISSN: 0869-8031

Archives → 2020 → V. 60. №4. → pp. 418–425

Article

Assessment of 137Cs Accumulation in Freshwater Fish: Investigation Results in the Schekino Reservoir

N. V. Kuzmenkova^a,b, L. E. Efimova^c, М. М. Ivanov^c,d, A. К. Rozhkova^a,b, T. Wada^e, K. Nanba^e, and V. N. Golosov^c,d,f

^aLomonosov MSU, Chemistry Faculty, Moscow, Russia ^bVernadsky Institute of Geochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia ^cLomonosov MSU, Geography Faculty, Moscow, Russia ^dGeography Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia ^eFucushima University, Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fucushima, Yapan ^fKazan University, Kazan, Russia

Abstract

The radionuclides content in the Shchekino reservoir (Tula region) fish was investigated. Reservoir catchment located within the Plavsky radioactive spot, the territory with high radioactivity level because of the
Chernobyl accident. The results showed that the level of specific activity in the muscles of fish is 1–2 Bq/kg, which is much lower than the existing limits values (130 Bq/kg). The water physicochemical properties and specific activity of ¹³⁷Cs of the reservoir were determined. Reservoirs conditions are comfortable for fish living and productivity. The reason for the content decrease in water and fish living in the Shchekino reservoir, in addition to the ¹³⁷Cs half-life over the past 30 years after the accident, was the relatively clean river sediments accumulation at the bottom of the reservoir. This led to the most contaminated sediment layer burial after the accident time.

Keywords

137Cs, freshwater reservoirs, Chernobyl accident, radioactive pollution, fish, radiation safety standards