Sydorenko V. Ecological safety of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone: techno-natural threats from radiation-hazardous objects and phenomena

The ecological and radiation conditions of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone and the threat of its deterioration are analyzed. It has been determined that the greatest ecological and radiation threat to the environment is posed by potentially dangerous objects located in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, especially such objects as «the Shelter» and the Spent Fuel Storage Facility, where an accident involving the release of radioactive substances is possible. It is noted that one of the main tasks is an early detection of the causes of forest fires, minimization of their consequences and ensuring radiation protection of the population from the negative effects of radioactive clouds. The assessment of radiation hazards of the spent nuclear fuel storage of the «wet» type and their environmental consequences, namely: environmental consequences during the facility’s operation, safety of the fuel pool in conditions of uncertainty, structural reliability and thermophysical safety of the fuel pool, explosion hazards during the storage of spent nuclear fuel. The expediency of using the methodology of applied systems analysis to improve the process of radioactive waste management has been scientifically substantiated, which makes it possible to understand this process as a system with static and dynamic properties and take it into account in the general system of integrated environmental safety. The natural research of forest fires in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone was carried out with the help of modern analytical equipment, which made it possible to obtain the values of radioactive contamination of the environment. According to the results of laboratory research, the processes of high-temperature sublimation of combustible forest material and removal of radioactive cesium into the air are modeled. A comparative analysis of the results of natural and laboratory studies with controlled forest fires was carried out. Radiation risk assessment during firefighting was performed. The radiation risk and the dose load for the population during forest fires with a radiation hazard factor are determined. Conceptual foundations for the development of special systems of control over the forest fire situation in the Chornobyl exclusion zone by means of an ultrahigh-frequency radiometer have been formed. A variant of creating a mobile laboratory complex for operational control over radiation conditions around radiation-hazardous objects in emergency and post-emergency situations, remote and contact control over radionuclides in air, soil, water, etc. to make management decisions to minimize the consequences of radiation accidents and emergencies related to radiation-hazardous factors have been proposed. Conceptual foundations of ensuring ecological and radiation safety on the basis of the created structural scheme of control and management of heavy radiation accidents have been developed. The practical significance of the obtained results lies in the implementation of the developed or improved methods, strategic directions and concepts for the monitoring and management of the state of ecological safety in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. With the direct participation of the author some results of the dissertation were implemented in the activities of organizations and institutions that are directly or indirectly related to the problem of environmental safety of the territory. Key words: ecological safety, Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, techno-natural threats, forest fires, radiation-hazardous objects.