Radioecological Problems of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation: Reasons for Origin, Current status, Prospects

• Published in: Radiochemistry (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2023-04, Vol.65 (2), p.141-157
• Main Authors: Antipov, S. V., Tananaev, I. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Contamination; Economic development; Fleet management; International cooperation; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear explosions; Nuclear fuels; Nuclear submarines; Radiation; Radioisotopes; Remediation; Spent nuclear fuels
• ISSN: 1066-3622; 1608-3288
• DOI: 10.1134/S1066362223020029

The review notes and substantiates the key role of the Arctic zone in the socio-economic development of the Russian Federation, provides a definition and a detailed description of its radioecological state, reveals the reasons that led to radioactive contamination of the Arctic territory and water area, cites the sources of this contamination and their relative contribution to the overall picture, as well as the measures taken to eliminate or significantly reduce pollution. The decisive role of Rosatom State Corporation was demonstrated in the development of international cooperation within the framework of the Global Partnership for the Elimination of Radioecological Contamination of the Arctic within the developed and implemented Strategic Master Plan for the comprehensive dismantling of nuclear submarines and environmental remediation of the fleet management infrastructure, which made it possible to free the main objects of the North-West of Russia from the nuclear legacy of the Cold War. A number of data and photographs of objects are given before and after the work on their remediation from radiation contamination. The review provides information on the status and various options for solving the radioecological problems of other radiation-hazardous objects, such as objects with spent nuclear fuel flooded in the Arctic waters, possible options for the removal of spent nuclear fuel from the Bilibino NPP, remediation of sites of accidental peaceful nuclear explosions, and reducing the release of radionuclides into the sea by northern rivers. In all these areas, scientists of the Russian Academy of Sciences are conducting and will continue research aimed at saving and improving the ecology of the “Russian North.”