[en] The influence of natural solar and artificial ultraviolet irradiation on developing bees was studied. Lethal exposures to irradiation at different stages of development were determined. The influence of irradiation on the variability of the morphometric features of bees was revealed. 5 refs., 1 fig

[en] The dose of acute irradiation or of chronic irradiation under which the biota's functioning is not disturbed is suggested as a permissible dose of irradiation for biota. On the basis of many separate experiments and observations, doses of chronic irradiation 1-3 gy/year are supposed to be permissible for higher plants and animals. The irradiation tolerance of microorganisms is considerably higher. The permissible doses of irradiation for the biota and for human beings are compared. The accepted maximum tolerance dose of irradiation of 10^-3 gy/year for humans is determined to be groundless. We propose substituting the term open-quotes permissible dose.close quotes 28 refs., 3 figs

[en] In the 1950s, the Techa River was contaminated with highly radioactive waste from the open-quotes Mayakclose quotes nuclear enterprise. The total discharge of radionuclides into the river is estimated as 10¹⁷ Bq, including as much as 10¹⁶ Bq each of ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs. At present, the river's water and soils contain about 0.3·10¹² Bq of ⁹⁰Sr, more than 6·10¹² of ¹³⁷Cs, and about 8·10⁸ Bq of ^239,240Pu. The estimate was made for the part of the river beginning 50 km from the site of the discharge and ending 240 m downstream, before the Techa River empties into the Iset River. The greater part of the discharged radionuclides has been deposited in a series of reservoirs in the upper reaches of the Techa. The concentration of radionuclides in the water and soils of the Techa River decreases exponentially or according to an exponential function with distance

[en] In the profile of forest soils in a 30-km zone around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (NPP), in areas characterized by different positions in relation to the source of emission, the authors determined the relative contents of long-lived radionuclides ¹⁰⁶Ru, ^134,137Cs, and ¹⁴⁴Ce in soil solutions (as of 1987). On the example of ¹³⁷Cs, they consider the dynamics (1987-1990) of relative contents and forms in which the radionuclide is found in the liquid phase of soils in the zone of radioactive contamination from the Chernobyl NPP

[en] Theoretical and systematical aspects of the utilization of molluscs were elaborated in an effort to bioindicate pollution by radionuclides after the accident at Chernobyl' Atomic Electric Power Station (CAEPS). Beta-radiometry of shells, gamma-spectroscopy of shells and animals, and a number of chemical and radiochemical analyses were carried out. The composition of radionuclides, incorporated by molluscs before and after the accident, is cited. Average values of the factors of transition and accumulation (relative to water) ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs are estimated. Individual variability and taxonomic distinction of these parameters for ⁹⁰Sr are analyzed. The results of radioecological monitoring of rivers of the Dnieper basin and reservoirs of the Dnieper cascade are shown. Direct beta-radiometry of molluscan shells is recommended as the most convenient method of rapidly estimating the level of pollution of the area of ⁹⁰Sr

[en] This study continues investigations into the development dynamics of phytoplankton and hydrochemical and meteorological factors over a periods of 26 years in the cooling pond of the Mayak Production Association in the Kyzyl-Trash Lake. The aim is to evaluate the long-term oscillations in phytoplankton owing to changes in hydrochemical and meteorological factors. 6 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab

[en] Results are given from comparative analysis of the antioxidation activity (AOA) of lipids, composition of phospholipids, and activity of Krebs'-cycle and glycolysis enzymes in the liver of three species of murine rodents caught in the slightly contaminated zone of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Disruptions were found in individual links of the regulation of processes of peroxidation of lipids (POL), as well as depression and discoordination of dehydrogenation process. The sharpest shifts in biochemical and biophysical indices were noted in the more radiosensitive root vole

[en] The authors studied peculiarities of the behavior of long-lived radionuclides in floodplain landscapes of the Techa River. The effect of floodplain soil formation and hydrological conditions on the radionuclides' migration in the soil and plant cover was noted. The question of the role of floodplain landscapes as geochemical barriers and sources of secondary contamination of the Ob river system is discussed

[en] The dimensions of accumulation of ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs by mushrooms depends on the stores of forest litter: The greater they are, the higher the concentration. As the nuclides migrate from the forest litter, the dimensions of their accumulation decrease: In the tenth year of the investigation the concentration of ⁹⁰Sr in mushrooms had diminished by 1.5-3 times; and ¹³⁷Cs, by as much as 30 times. The fruit bodies of mushrooms accumulate 2.5-5 times more ¹³⁷Cs, and in individual cases up to 40 times more, than ⁹⁰Sr. The maximum amount of ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs is accumulated by annulated boletus; the minimum amount, by rough boletus

[en] Data on the distribution of long-living radionuclides in a 0-30-cm layer of different types of soils, contaminated as a result of the accident in 1957, are given. Forms of the state and existence of radionuclides in soils are considered in detail. It was determined that distribution of radionuclides and forms of their state and whereabouts in soils depend both on the properties of radionuclides and on soil type