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SEMIPALATINSK TEST SITE Within the framework of these programs - "Ensuring the Security of the former test site at Semipalatinsk" and "Ensuring Radiation Security on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan" – 2019 saw the National Nuclear Center of Kazakhstan extend its environmental survey of the Semipalatinsk test site. Seasonal monitoring at the test site took place on the two largest bodies of water located there – the Shagan River and Lake Kishkensor. The Shagan riverbed was tested at markers at 5km, 14km, and 110km. In the first two locations, excessive levels of tritium isotopes were detected. Lake Kishkensor was tested in the sector most affected by man-made radionuclides – its southern end. In all samples taken, tritium and strontium isotope levels exceeded safe levels. To assess the transfer of technogenic radionuclides to waterways located beyond the test site, in 2019, groundwater monitoring was undertaken. Samples taken at 7 wells showed reductions in tritium levels while 2 showed increases. Monitoring helped clarify the effect of surface water (precipitation, flooding) on tritium and chemical concentrations identified in the groundwater. Data collected in further analysis on the processes of ground- and surface-water exchange, particularly at tritium isotope migration sites, will assist in determining groundwater formation mechanisms in monitored wells and produce long-term forecasts of the development of the radiation situation at each monitoring site. Results of the monitoring confirm the necessity to continue to sample sections of the Shagan River and of Lake Kishkensor on a quarterly basis. In addition, the location for testing the water of Lake Kishkensor should be carried out in closer proximity to the groundwater spring where technogenic radionuclides concentrations are typically higher than levels recorded in subsurface waters. In 2019, radioactivity levels were taken at three of the 15 existing wells at the Telkem industrial site. Results were consistent with those from previous years - tritium activity in the groundwater was below detection limits. According to the results of the survey, it was proposed to reduce the number of wells near each body of water to one - Telkem-1 and Telkem-2. The recommended frequency for monitoring of the site is once annually. Monitoring allowed the identification of wells located directly in the migration routes polluted with high concentrations of tritium and strontium. Recommendations included equipping these wells with a continuous automatic system to monitor changes in the groundwater pollution levels in order to provide updated hydrological data useful for projecting alterations to the radiation situation in the control areas. Completion of an environmental survey of the territory included a comprehensive study of the Degelen and Aktan-Burley sites and a preliminary survey of the Opytnoye Pole (Experimental Field) and 4a sites. During the monitoring conducted of the local groundwater, 25 bodies of water (wells, springs, and streams) were identified as located within the zone potentially affected by sources of radioactive contamination accessible for use by the civilian population. Simultaneously, no incidents of tritium or strontium contamination were identified in the territory adjacent to the Semipalatinsk test site. The specific concentrations of radionuclides in the water were below the detection limit and did not exceed acceptable levels in food products. monitoring conducted of the local groundwater Air quality monitoring revealed Air quality monitoring revealed that at the Semipalatinsk test site production facilities and in the city of Kurchatov there were no increased concentrations of technogenic radionuclides. Unfortunately, the existing system for monitoring the atmosphere are not equipped to facilitate long-term forecast of changes in the environmental situation. The system does not take climatic and meteorological features of the surface atmosphere into account, and the number of monitoring posts is insufficient to provide reliable data on atmospheric radioactive contamination. The existing monitoring system should be expanded to include route-designated observation posts located in the vicinity of contaminated sites and along the perimeter of radioactively hazardous objects at the test site. All proposed observation posts should be equipped to register the full range of climatic and meteorological parameters. Monitoring of the Degelen and Aktan-Burley sites Observations conducted at the above - a total area of 1200 square kilometers – at the Degelen and Aktan-Burley sites revealed that nearly 429 square kilometers were radioactively contaminated – just under 36% of the total area. The principal contaminant identified in local surface water were the radionuclides tritium and strontium. Tritium levels in Bytles Creek exceeded permissible norms by a factor of five. The maximum concentrations recorded of cesium, plutonium and strontium in the stream were below limits which would require preservation and recultivation efforts at the river. At Karabulak Creek and its watershed, tritium levels did not exceed allowable levels and concentrations of the pollutant decreased at distances further removed from the stream. Americium and cesium levels in surface water sediment at the site do not exceed established norms. In the groundwater survey, 30 test wells up to a depth of 10 meters were drilled and five existing wells were cleaned. Analysis failed to identify any exceedances of allowable limits of the isotopes tritium, strontium, cesium and americium. In the bulk of the surveyed area, radionuclide concentrations are at acceptable levels and no further measures to counteract environmental effects of nuclear weapon tests at the site are indicated. However, two areas in the western and north-eastern sections of the survey area require the removal and subsequent secure disposal of 10 centimeters of topsoil. Monitoring of the Opytnoe Pole (Experimental Field) site A survey of the territory of the landfill in the Opytnoe Pole (Experimental Field) site revealed slight exceedances of acceptable radiation parameters at the main site. However, central and southern sectors revealed exceedances in background radiation limits at a factor of two to three times the allowable limits. This corresponds with trace elements of radioactive fallout from weapons tests. Surface water readings taken at the site show strontium isotope activity does not exceed levels hazardous for humans. Ground water readings reveal that concentrations of tritium, cesium, strontium and plutonium are also within acceptable levels. Cesium and americium concentrations in plant life also did not exceed maximum allowable limits and vegetation at the site is not a hazard for the local population and is considered suitable for economic activities, including livestock grazing. No exceedances of radionuclide activity were detected in muscle and bone tissue samples taken from wildlife. The presence of cesium in the muscle tissue of saigas is 111 times lower than permissible levels in wildlife tissue. Monitoring of "4a" site the Preliminary soil samples taken at select locations of site "4a" have shown exceedances of strontium isotope background radioactive contamination. However, strontium concentrations from samples taken from soil at a depth of 50 centimeters were 10 times lower than readings taken at the surface. Groundwater concentrations of tritium, strontium, americium, cesium and plutonium are all below detectable norms. Concentrations of tritium, americium and cesium in the vegetation at the site were below the maximum permissible levels of radioactive contamination of feed vegetation and poses no hazard or obstacle for exploitation of the territory for economic purposes. The measured activity of cesium isotopes in the muscle tissue of wildlife was 250 times lower than allowable levels. At the “4a” site five radioactively contaminated objects were found – all of which are attributed to their function as technical structures employed in testing radioactive substances for military use. At these facilities, elevated values of the equivalent dose rate and beta particle flux density were recorded. Atmospheric readings conducted at all the sites in the study reveal that the presence of americium and cesium in the air did not exceed the allowable norms for the “human settlement” designation. Concentrations of suspended aerosol particles also did not exceed allowable concentration limits recommended by the World Health Organization. The content of cesium, americium, plutonium and strontium in plant life also did not exceed the maximum allowable limits. Vegetation does not pose a risk to the local population and is suitable for economic activities, including livestock grazing. Muscle and bone tissue samples taken from wildlife inhabiting the territory adjacent to the Degelen site did not reveal elevated levels of technogenic radionuclides.
This interactive report was created by the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the support of the European Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme, and Zoï Environment Network.