Sampling strategy development in radiation monitoring studies of the environmental contamination

Full text: Present status (institutional structure, methodological basis, requirements and facilities of the radiation monitoring and radiation control systems in Ukraine are described. The main principle developed on optimization and harmonization of the existing facilities and philosophy for observational network (tasks for sampling points and different laboratories for radionuclides in the Environment) are considered. The main focus of presentation is the observational network and actual monitoring practice in Ukraine for contamination of the atmosphere and aerosol fallouts, soils, surface and ground waters and bottom sediment sampling strategies (River, reservoirs and the Black Sea). In particular, different facilities for sampling of the fresh and marine water with in-situ filtration and pre-concentration procedures using different sorts of the selective sorbents and pumping systems will be recommended. The Strategy to be applied to the different tasks of the bottom sediment contamination Study is considered as well. Experience of geo-statistic data analysis to be used for interpretation of the sampling results are showed on the basis of the radionuclide bottom sediment contamination mapping for the Dnieper river reservoirs and the coastal zone of the Black Sea. Some methodological findings and specific results of the Black Sea Radioactive contamination studies (aerosols, water, bottom sediment, biota) carried-out in frame of the IAEA (1998-2001) expedition are presented as well. Some methods of interpretation of the monitoring data to be applied in the different environmental studies are considered as well