TRITIUM IN STREAMS, WELL WATERS AND ATOMIC LAKES AT THE SEMI-PALATINSK NUCLEAR TEST SITE: PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

摘要

The database on tritium concentrations in streams, atomic lakes, ground waters and well waters at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site (STS) is by no means extensive, given the scale of nuclear testing undertaken at the site in the past. Here, we highlight the extent of the present database by summarising all of the readily accessible (published) data on tritium levels in the various waters of interest. In addition, we present new data on tritium gathered in the course of fieldwork in 2004 and 2005, by participants in the SEMIRAD 2 Project. We also review the status of present knowledge in regard to the mobility of tritium within and off the STS, by focussing on specific case studies, and offer suggestions as to the shape future research endeavours might take that, in our opinion, would be most cost effective.