Radiological Threats in the Territory of Mine No.1 of the Lermontovsky Production Association "Almaz"

Introduction. Mine No. 1, operated until 1975, is in the Beshtau mountain range of the Stavropol Territory. The radiation situation and its potential deterioration due to the unsatisfactory condition of the mine dumps is of concern to the public and local administration. The article presents the results of radiation survey of the mine and its dumps and assesses their impact on the exposure of the population and terrestrial biota.

Materials and methods. Gamma survey of the territory and express measurement of radon activity were carried out. For determination of radionuclide activity in soil, sampling with subsequent laboratory analysis was carried out. According to the results of measurements, radiation doses to the population and biota were estimated.

Results. In the dumps of thirteen adits the dose rate values do not exceed 0.6 µSv/h. In the area of other 11 adits there are sites with higher values (up to 5 µSv/h), the soil of which is classified as solid radioactive waste. Values of radon volumetric activity reach 1.5 kBq/m³. When passing the longest route, the effective dose from the inhalation intake of radon will not exceed 3 mSv. The radiation doses to biota are 3 or more times lower than the derived consideration reference level.

Limitations. When comparing the radionuclide content in soil with the criteria for waste classification and estimating biota doses, the traditional assumption of the age-old equilibrium of ²³⁴U and ²³⁰Th in ²³⁸U decay chains was used. Radiation doses were estimated under the assumption of permanent presence of bioobjects on the territory. The chronic exposure dose rate values of 1.0 mGy/day for mammals, vertebrates, and common pine and 10 mGy/day for plants and invertebrates were taken as safe dose levels.

Conclusion. Single visits to Mount Beshtau do not pose a threat to public health. At the estimated values of radiation doses to terrestrial biota there is no information about deterministic effects of ionizing radiation on bioobjects.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require a conclusion of the Biomedical Ethics Committee.

Contribution:
Belskikh Iu.S. – the concept and design of the study, writing a text;
Shandala N.K. – the concept and design of the study, writing a text, editing;
Titov A.V. – collection and processing of material, writing a text;
Isaev D.V. – collection of literature data, collection and processing of material;
Semenova М.P. – collection and processing of material, editing;
Doroneva T.A., Seregin V.A., Krotkova Iu.V., Filonova A.A. – collection and processing of material.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Acknowledgement. The authors express their gratitude to the staff of the Centre of Hygiene and Epidemiology No. 101 of FMBA of Russia.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: April 8, 2024 / Accepted: June 19, 2024 / Published: January 31, 2025