Alpha-emitters ^238,239+240Pu in the Black Sea ecosystem after accident on Chernobyl nuclear power plant

The Black Sea received abundant amount of plutonium alpha–emitting radioisotopes ^238,239,240Pu with global fallout after nuclear weapon testing in atmosphere and after accident on the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (ChNPP) in 1986. The aim of the study was to investigate the contamination of the Black Sea hydrobionts and marine environment by man-made plutonium radioisotopes and to use of the comparative analysis, biogeochemical and equidosimetric approach to the ecological effects assessment from ^239,240Pu on hydrobionts in a wide range of these radioisotopes concentrations in seawater. Distribution of plutonium radioisotopes in abiotic (water and bottom sediment) and biotic (algae, mollusks, fish) components of the Black Sea ecosystems was studied during the post–Chernobyl period at different areas as a rule at western and central parts of the sea. This study was devoted to the analysis of a radioecological situation in the Black Sea. The long–term accumulation and migration trends of these radioisotopes were analyzed concerning abiotic components of the Black Sea after the ChNPP accident. The Black Sea zones were revealed that have an increased ability to accumulate these radioactive isotopes. The estimations of the elimination fluxes of the after-accidental plutonium alpha–radioisotopes into bottom sediments in open and coastal areas of the sea were obtained. Evaluation of irradiation dose rates formed with alpha–radiation of ^239,240Pu in Black Sea hydrobionts was carried out. Important quantitative characteristics of plutonium migration in the Black Sea ecosystems were obtained and application of the comparative analysis together with biogeochemical and equidosimetric approach to the ecological effects assessment of the dose commitments from the artificial ^239,240Pu to hydrobionts in contemporary radiological situation in the Black Sea as well as in different potential radioecological situations in wide range of alpha-emitting plutonium radioisotopes concentration activity in seawater was fulfilled.