Accumulation and Distribution of 137Cs and 90Sr Radionuclides in the Forests of the «Drevlyansky» Nature Reserve

This study was conducted in order to define the main physical and chemical properties of the soil, data on the accumulation as well as transfer of 137Cs and 90Sr radionuclides in the main components of the forest biocenosis of the Drevlyansky Nature Reserve, which is located in the area affected by radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant catastrophy. The processes of radionuclide migration by the soil profile have been studied, the highest level of pollution density in the upper soil layers has been noted in the layers of 0-2, 2-4 cm. The analysis of the main agrophysical indicators of soils is carried out in the main forest types of for the territory of the Drevlyansky Nature Reserve. The process of radionuclides migration from soil to plants was also studied by determining the coefficient of soil to plant transfer factor (TF) and accumulation (A) of such radionuclides as 137Cs and 90Sr. The maximum transition coefficient was recorded during migration to Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hill., – 33,38 for 137Cs and 34,97 for 90Sr and the lowest to Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. – 2,38 for 137Cs and 9,27 for 90Sr An increase in the transition coefficient was observed with increasing of soil moisture.