Radionuclide content in vegetation and soils in the impact zone of the railway track

Abstract

Purpose. To identify the harmful radiation impact of railway transport on the environment. Methodology. In order to determine the level of radioactive contamination in the impact zone of the railway, soil and plant samples were collected, and relevant radiometric studies were carried out in accordance with the established and approved methods. The peculiarities of the accumulation capacity of plants and soil were investigated and graphical models of radionuclide migration on the Lviv-Sambir railway section were created. Findings. Measurements of the specific activity of 90Sr and 137Cs in plant samples along the railway track showed that grass plants have a lower content of radionuclides and trees have a higher one. It was found that among the herbaceous plants, the species Galium odoratum (L.) Scop. accumulates radionuclides 90Sr most intensively, Geum urbanum L. accumulates 137Cs. These plants can be used as indicators of the territory contaminated with radionuclides. The highest content of radionuclides in tree species is observed in the leaves of grey alder and oak bark. The highest content of K 40 was observed at a distance of 200 m from the railway track, and the lowest content of Th 232 was observed at a distance of 100 m from the railway track. Originality. The results of the research showed a significant variation in the content of radioactive substances in the soils of protective forest plantations. This variation in soil contamination can be explained by the heterogeneity of the above-ground cover and the local impact of plantations on the contaminants’ airborne transport rate. Practical value. Taking into account the fact that the concentration of radionuclides in plants and soil decreases away from the railway tracks, we can state that protective forest plantations delay the spread of the existing radionuclide content to the territories adjacent to the tracks.