Estimation of dynamics of Radiocesium contamination of food pproducts and forest soils in Mogilev region
Introduction.Permanent radiation monitoring of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident, in particular, forest pollution is of current importance. The scientific task is to assess the dynamics of radiocesium contamination of forest mushrooms, berries and soil with different density of radioactive contamination. Materials and methods. Forest mushrooms (11 species), berries (cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, wild strawberries, cowberries) as well as soil in Mogilev region were examined. Specific activity of 137 Cs was measured with a gamma-beta spectrometer. Results. A maximum specific activity of 137Cs in forest mushrooms was 9514 Bq/kg while a minimum one - 5 Bq/kg (with an acceptable norm of 370 Bq/kg); in wild berries a maximum activity amounted to 281 Bq/ kg while a minimum one - 5 Bq / kg (with an acceptable norm of 185 Bq/kg). Great bulk of 137Cs is accumulated at a soil depth of 5-10 cm and forest litter. The center of the 137Cs stock in forest soils is shifting. Conclusions. Significant dynamics of contamination of food products and forest soils with 137Cs has not been established. At the same time, 137Cs stock center shifts deep into the soil, and this process goes faster in automorphic soils with a high density of contamination. The transition of 137Cs to forest berries from soils is much smaller than that to mushrooms. Further monitoring of the radiation situation remains of utmost importance.