Anthropogenic radioactivity in the vicinity of the Bilibino nuclear power station, Chukotka, Russia1

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Abstract
During vegetation, soil, and water sampling conducted in 1995, we were unable to confirm previous reports that the Bilibino Nuclear Power Station in the Russian Far East is a significant source of anthropogenic radioactivity to the surrounding region. A localized area of radionuclide contamination was observed for at least 400 m downstream of an effluent discharge point into a small stream, underlain by permafrost, which drains the area surrounding the power plant. It appears likely that the localized contamination observed is the result of poor drainage and the lack of adequate mixing of the discharge, rather than radionuclide discharges that are abnormally high. Radionuclides such as Co and 5 Mn that are associated with nuclear energy generation also were detected on upland vegetation at distances of 700 m (137Cs inventories in soil suggest that weapons testing fallout is still the predominant anthropogenic radionuclide source for this region and that the Bilibino Power Station currently has only a very localized influence on the surrounding area.