Post-Chernobyl 134Cs and 137Cs Levels at Some Localities in Northern Canada
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14430/arctic1735Keywords:
Air pollution, Caribou, Cesium, Gamma rays, Lichenometry, Lichens, Mosses, Radionuclides, Spectroscopy, Arctic regions, Baker Lake region, Nunavut, Chernobyl, Ukraine, Igloolik Island (69 23 N, 81 40 W), N.W.T., Somerset Island, Sverdrup Pass, Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta/N.W.T.Abstract
Samples of lichen, moss and caribou meat from the high and central arctic regions of Canada were measured for 137Cs due to the Chernobyl accident of April 1986. They were compared to lichen samples from the boreal area of Wood Buffalo National Park, Alberta, and to moss samples from the temperate Niagara Escarpment of southern Ontario. Lichens from Ellesmere Island and mosses from the Niagara Escarpment had no detectable Chernobyl 137Cs. Lichens from the central Arctic showed a 137Cs increase of about 14% above the persistent burden from the past atmospheric nuclear weapons testing. Mosses and lichens from Wood Buffalo National Park showed an average 137Cs increase of 19% due to Chernobyl fallout. In absolute terms, the contribution of Chernobyl fallout over Canadian northern regions was non-significant compared to the depositions experienced by countries such as the U.S.S.R., Sweden, Norway and some Central European countries.
Key words: Chernobyl, 134.137Cesium, fallout radionuclides in northern Canada, lichen samples, caribou samples
