Radioactivity distribution in fuel-containing materials (Chernobyl "lava") and aerosols from the Chernobyl "Shelter". (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vlasova, Irina; Shiryaev, Andrey; Ogorodnikov, Boris; Burakov, Boris; Dolgopolova, Ekaterina; Senin, Roman; Averin, Alexey; Zubavichus, Yan; Kalmykov, Stepan
• Is Part Of: Radiation measurements. Volume 83(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 20
• Page End: 25
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Chernobyl "lava" -- Radioactive particles -- High-uranium zircon -- Dendrites of UO2+x with Zr -- Etched alpha tracks in CR-39 -- Imaging Plate radiography; Nuclear emulsions -- Periodicals; Particle tracks (Nuclear physics) -- Periodicals; Thermoluminescence -- Periodicals; Cosmic rays -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Radiometry -- Periodicals; Radiation Monitoring -- Periodicals; Émulsions nucléaires -- Périodiques; Particules (Physique nucléaire) -- Traces -- Périodiques; Thermoluminescence -- Périodiques; Rayonnement cosmique -- Périodiques; Radiométrie -- Périodiques; 539.77
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2015.06.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4487

Abstract

Abstract: Homogeneity of the radioactivity distribution, composition and structure of radioactive phases were investigated for several samples of Chernobyl fuel-containing materials (Chernobyl "lava") collected in different parts of the destroyed reactor building. The spatial distribution of the α- and of the total activity is homogeneous on the scale of tens microns. XAFS results suggest that the major fraction of U is dissolved in a glassy matrix. At the same time, SEM-EDX and X-ray tomography reveal a high concentration of inclusions and bubbles in the lava samples. The process of lava disintegration continues with different rates depending on environmental conditions around a particular lava stream in the reactor building. Highlights: We discovered the homogeneity of α-activity of Chernobyl lava on the scale of tens microns. We proved that brown type of Chernobyl lava has higher α-activity than black type. Disintegration of the brown lava heap at the level 0.0 m was shown.