Contamination of the Baltic sea by artificial radionuclides

Abstract

The main sources of the Baltic sea contamination by artificial radionuclides were nuclear bombs tests and nuclear industry wastes. Since 1971 the volume activity (VA) of radionuclides I37Cs, 90Sr and later on 144Ce and T measurements were carried out in the open and coastal waters of the Baltic Sea. The VA values increase in some cases was connected with atmospheric nuclear bombs tests in China. In 1986 after the Chernobyl Power Plant accident the artificial radionuclides VA field structure essentially changed. The 137Cs maximum fall out was observed in the northern part of the Baltic sea and exceeded 500 Bq/m3. The radionuclide 144Ce maximum VA values were registered in the western Baltics and maximum VA values of 90Sr were in the southern Baltic Sea area. In 1988 the average 144Ce and 90Sr VA measurement results were the same as before the Chernobyl Power Plant accident and those of radionuclide 137Cs remain at the higher radioactive level to these days.