Application of GIS technologies to model radiation situation at Degelen site of the former STS

Full text: Degelen site was used to conduct nuclear tests at STS. From 1961 to 1989, 295 underground nuclear explosions have been conducted in 163 tunnels at the Degelen Mountain Massif. The radioactive substances concentrate mainly within the cavities formed after the explosions but there - are streams flowing from some tunnels where significant radionuclide content has been detected. Pastures, hayfields, ponds for wild and domestic animals are located along the streams. Thus, the processes which form a radiation contamination should be clarified. To implement modeling tasks, a Degelen GIS database was created, which includes information about the tests conducted in tunnels as well as data on radiological survey of the area and water basin of the Degelen Mountain Massif. The monitoring is held by the Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology and Institute of Geophysical Research of NNC. The model of radionuclide transfer from the tunnels of the Degelen Massif is performed as an individual block comprised into the Degelen GIS project. The modeling is realized directly using the ArcGIS program at that tunnels characteristics and parameters of the nuclear tests conducted are considered. As a result, the forecasting evaluations. for the tunnels with water inflows were performed and compared with experimental data. During the evaluation, sorption and leaching processes during the radionuclide transfer into the water were considered. The results obtained are performed in the form of diagrams and maps