The present day environmental contamination with cesium in South-West Siberia

The paper briefly describes present day situation of cesium contamination in environmental components of Altai region, Altai and Tuva Republics, Novosibirsk and Kemerovsk regions (South-West Siberia) on the basis of many-year studies (1994-2004). In a view of radioactive decay, values of cesium activity in soil, bottom sediments and coniferous beddings were calculated for 2000 year. It provides obtained results comparison and present-day ecological status assessment. It is shown that average values of 137Cs contamination in some areas depend on quantity of sample points in soil with its anomalous residual reserves relative to background. The residual reserves currently are major evidence of past local radioactive fallout. Accumulation of 137Cs in beddings should be taken into account for forest landscapes. There is no reason to inspect increase for barrier radiocesium accumulation expecting its redistribution in case of forest fire. The present day level of radioactive cesium contamination is not of hazard for public health in the area of South-West Siberia. (author)