Measurements of the distribution of radioactive contamination in sediments of the Ploucnice river valley (northern Bohemia): Basis for its rehabilitation

The discovery of a sandstone uranium ore deposit at Straz pod Ralskem in Northern Bohemia in the late 1960s resulted in extensive exploration, development and mining activities. During the first approximately 15 years, no adequate measures were adopted to reduce the environmental impact of these activities. This was due to the then valid system of exemptions from legislatory regulation, for strategic reasons. Because of the delayed development of appropriate water treatment measures, radionuclides and accompanying toxic heavy elements entered the river Ploucnice, resulting in extensive contamination of its flood plain sediments. 4 refs, 2 tabs