M.G. Germenchuk

Bio: M.G. Germenchuk is an academic researcher from International Sakharov Environmental University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Thyroid cancer & Population. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 8 publications receiving 78 citations. Previous affiliations of M.G. Germenchuk include Russian Ministry of the Emergency Situations & Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Measurement of 129I and 137Cs in soils from belarus and reconstruction of 131I deposition from the chernobyl accident

Abstract: 129 I and 137 Cs have been measured in a large number of soil samples collected throughout the country of Belarus to support efforts for thyroid-dose reconstruction following the Chernobyl accident. Samples of soil consisting of multiple 30-cm-deep cores per site were sampled following a selection process to ensure sites were undisturbed and representative. Samples were measured by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) for 129 I, gamma spectrometry for 137 Cs, and gas chromatography (GC) for total iodine. Results show that both 129 I and 137 Cs are retained firmly in the top ∼15 to 20 cm of the soil. Our results also suggest that the correlation between 129 I and 137 Cs deposition across the country of Belarus is poor; hence, 129 I is a better surrogate for 131 I than is 137 Cs. It was also noted that total iodine concentrations in topsoil from Belarus are low compared with other regions of the world where radiogenic thyroid cancer has been studied.

Radionuclide Ratios in Precipitation on the Territory of Belarus After the Chernobyl Accident: Calculation from Gamma-Spectrometric Measurements on Soil in May–July 1986

Abstract: The correlations between the fallout density and ratio of radionuclides in different regions of Belarus after the accident at the Chernobyl NPP are investigated using data obtained by means of gamma-spectrometric measurements performed on soil in May‐July 1986. It is shown that the isotopes of cesium and/or ruthenium are most suitable for reconstructing the activity of 131 I in the fallout. Charts showing the isolines of the activity ratios 131 I/ 137 Cs and 134 Cs/ 137 Cs in the fallout are constructed. The geometric averages obtained for the log-normal distribution of the ratios 134 Cs/ 137 Cs and 131 I/ 137 Cs in terms of May 10, 1986 equal 0.47 and 5.4, respectively. The distribution of the activity ratio 131 I/ 137 Cs in the fallout and the correlation coefficients show that on the whole there is no consistent interrelation between the fallout indices of these radionuclides over the territory.

Dynamics of Radiation Situation on the Territory of Belarus and Migration of Radionuclides in Different Types of Soils after Chernobyl Catastrophe

Abstract: A vertical migration of radionuclides Cs, Sr and Pu in soils (in upper 5 cm) of Belarus is given. Influence of genetic parameters of soil for vertical migration of radionuclides is introduced. The main factor of the velocity for radionuclides migration is super humidity. A forecast of vertical migration of radionuclides is made for the year 2016.

Long-Term Dynamics of the Chernobyl-Derived Radionuclides in Rivers and Lakes

Abstract: It has been shown that after the initial phase of the Chernobyl accident, for time periods longer than 1 year, the changes in activity concentrations of radionuclides, both dissolved and particulate, are determined by changes in the concentrations of the upper soil layer for rivers or top layer of bottom sediments for lakes and ponds. The advantage of the proposed diffusion-based approach to describe the time dependence of radionuclide concentrations in rivers and lakes is that the middle- and long-term phases after the accident can be described by the same equation with the same parameters. Datasets for Chernobyl contaminated rivers and lakes have been used to test the model. The proposed semiempirical diffusional model of radionuclide dynamics in surface waters provides a tool for long-term predictions of river contamination in the future not only for Chernobyl but also for Fukushima contaminated areas or any other nuclear accident.

Trace Elements From Soil to Human

Abstract: Biogeochemistry of the Human Environment.- The Biosphere.- Soils.- Waters.- Air.- Plants.- Humans.- Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements.- Trace Elements of Group 1 (Previously Group Ia).- Trace Elements of Group 2 (Previously Group IIa).- Trace Elements of Group 3 (Previously Group IIIb).- Trace Elements of Group 4 (Previously Group IVb).- Trace Elements of Group 5 (Previously Group Vb).- Trace Elements of Group 6 (Previously Group VIb).- Trace Elements of Group 7 (Previously Group VIIb).- Trace Elements of Group 8 (Previously Part of Group VIII).- Trace Elements of Group 9 (Previously Part of Group VIII).- Trace Elements of Group 10 (Previously Part of Group VIII).- Trace Elements of Group 11 (Previously Group Ib).- Trace Elements of Group 12 (Previously Group IIb).- Trace Elements of Group 13 (Previously Group IIIa).- Trace Elements of Group 14 (Previously Group IVa).- Trace Elements of Group 15 (Previously Group Va).- Trace Elements of Group 16 (Previously Group VIa).- Trace Elements of Group 17 (Previously Group VIIa).

Iodine-129 in Seawater Offshore Fukushima: distribution, inorganic speciation, sources, and budget.

Abstract: The Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011 has released a large amount of radioactive pollutants to the environment. Of the pollutants, iodine-129 is a long-lived radionuclide and will remain in the environment for millions of years. This work first report levels and inorganic speciation of 129I in seawater depth profiles collected offshore Fukushima in June 2011. Significantly elevated 129I concentrations in surface water were observed with the highest 129I/127I atomic ratio of 2.2 × 10–9 in the surface seawater 40 km offshore Fukushima. Iodide was found as the dominant species of 129I, while stable 127I was mainly in iodate form, reflecting the fact that the major source of 129I is the direct liquid discharges from the Fukushima NPP. The amount of 129I directly discharged from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant to the sea was estimated to be 2.35 GBq, and about 1.09 GBq of 129I released to the atmosphere from the accident was deposited in the sea offshore Fukushima. A total release of 8.06 GBq...

Fukushima’s Forgotten Radionuclides: A Review of the Understudied Radioactive Emissions

Abstract: In environmental monitoring campaigns for anthropogenic radionuclides released in the course of the Fukushima nuclear accident (2011), most focus had been on gamma-emitting radionuclides. More than 99% of the released activity was due to radionuclides of the elements Kr, Te, I, Xe, and Cs. However, little work had been done on the monitoring of radionuclides other than 131I, 132Te, 134Cs, 136Cs, and 137Cs. Radionuclides such as those of less volatile elements (e.g., 89Sr, 90Sr, 103Ru, 106Ru, plutonium), pure beta-emitters (3H, 14C, 35S), gaseous radionuclides (85Kr, 133Xe, 135Xe) or radionuclides with very long half-lives (e.g., 36Cl, 99Tc, 129I, some actinides such as 236U) have been understudied by comparison. In this review, we summarize previous monitoring work on these “orphan” radionuclides in various environmental media and outline further challenges for future monitoring campaigns. Some of the understudied radionuclides are of radiological concern, others are promising tracers for environmental, g...