Radionuclide data for vertebrates in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
Cite this dataset as:
Gaschak, S.P.; Beresford, N.A.; Barnett, C.L.; Wells, C.; Maksimenko, A.; Chaplow, J.S. (2018). Radionuclide data for vertebrates in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. NERC Environmental Information Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/518f88df-bfe7-442e-97ad-922b5aef003a
Download/Access
PLEASE NOTE: By accessing or using this dataset, you agree to the terms of the relevant licence agreement(s). You will ensure that this dataset is cited in any publication that describes research in which the data have been used.
This dataset is made available under the terms of the Open Government Licence 
https://doi.org/10.5285/518f88df-bfe7-442e-97ad-922b5aef003a
Data comprise radionuclide concentrations in soils and a range of terrestrial vertebrate species (reptiles, small mammals and birds) sampled in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) between 1999 and 2008. Reptiles were collected in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2007, birds, bats, and small mammals were collected in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008. Dose rate data are provided for one study, both as ambient dose rate measurements and also as recorded by thermoluminescent dosimeters attached to small mammal species. The isotopes measured include: Americium-241, Caesium-134 and 137, Cobalt-60, Europium-154 and 155, Potassium-40, Plutonium-238, -239 and -240, Strontium-90. The data were used to assess the concentration of radioactive contamination in soil, consequent uptake of radionuclides by wildlife living in the CEZ and to test prediction of the ERICA Tool assessment model.
The data were used to assess the uptake of radionuclides by wildlife living in the CEZ and to derive transfer parameters, and also to test predictions of the assessment model the ‘ERICA Tool’.
The data were used to assess the uptake of radionuclides by wildlife living in the CEZ and to derive transfer parameters, and also to test predictions of the assessment model the ‘ERICA Tool’.
Publication date: 2018-02-21
View numbers valid from 01 June 2023 Download numbers valid from 20 June 2024 (information prior to this was not collected)
Format
Comma-separated values (CSV)
Spatial information
Study area
Spatial representation type
Tabular (text)
Spatial reference system
WGS 84
Temporal information
Temporal extent
1999-01-01 to 2008-07-01
Provenance & quality
Reptiles were trapped at two sites: 'Red Forest 1' and 'Red Forest2'. Red Forest 1 was approximately 2.6 km south west from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant; trapping occurred over a triangular area of circa 0.15 km2 . Red Forest 2 was approximately 2.7 km south west from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant; and trapping occurred over a square shaped area of circa 0.01 km2. Lacerta agilis were caught in Shermann traps; Natrix natrix were caught by hand. Soil samples (0–10 cm) were collected at Red Forest 1 in June 2001 and at Red Forest 2 in May 2007.
Small mammals were trapped (and released in most cases) at three forest sites with differing soil radionuclide activity concentrations (Low, Medium and High) in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. At each site small mammal traps were located in a 100 m x 100 m study area. Soil samples (0-10 cm) were also sampled at these sites. Animals were fitted with thermoluminescent dosimeters.
A range of passerine bird species were collected by mist nets during June 2005, euthanised and retained frozen. Three species of bats were also collected from the sites during the period May and June 2008 using mist nets. After being euthanised the samples were stored frozen whilst awaiting analyses.
Small mammals were trapped (and released in most cases) at three forest sites with differing soil radionuclide activity concentrations (Low, Medium and High) in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. At each site small mammal traps were located in a 100 m x 100 m study area. Soil samples (0-10 cm) were also sampled at these sites. Animals were fitted with thermoluminescent dosimeters.
A range of passerine bird species were collected by mist nets during June 2005, euthanised and retained frozen. Three species of bats were also collected from the sites during the period May and June 2008 using mist nets. After being euthanised the samples were stored frozen whilst awaiting analyses.
Licensing and constraints
This dataset is made available under the terms of the Open Government Licence
Cite this dataset as:
Gaschak, S.P.; Beresford, N.A.; Barnett, C.L.; Wells, C.; Maksimenko, A.; Chaplow, J.S. (2018). Radionuclide data for vertebrates in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. NERC Environmental Information Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/518f88df-bfe7-442e-97ad-922b5aef003a
© UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Related
This dataset is included in the following collections
Supplemental information
Beresford, N. A., Gaschak, S., Maksimenko, A., & Wood, M. D. (2016). The transfer of 137 Cs, Pu isotopes and 90 Sr to bird, bat and ground-dwelling small mammal species within the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 153, 231-236
Video Abstract for The transfer of 137Cs, Pu isotopes and 90Sr to bird, bat and ground dwelling small mammal species within the Chernobyl exclusion zone
Beresford, N. A., Gaschak, S., Barnett, C. L., Howard, B. J., Chizhevsky, I., Strømman, G., … Copplestone, D. (2008). Estimating the exposure of small mammals at three sites within the Chernobyl exclusion zone – a test application of the ERICA Tool. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 99(9), 1496–1502
Barnett, C. L., Gaschak, S., Beresford, N. A., Howard, B. J., & Maksimenko, A. (2009). Radionuclide activity concentrations in two species of reptiles from the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Radioprotection, 44(5), 537–542.
Correspondence/contact details
Professor Nick Beresford
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 4AP
UNITED KINGDOM
enquiries@ceh.ac.uk
Lancaster
Lancashire
LA1 4AP
UNITED KINGDOM
Authors
Gaschak, S.P.
Chornobyl center
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8722-0238
Barnett, C.L.
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Wells, C.
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Maksimenko, A.
Chornobyl center
Other contacts
Rights holder
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Custodian
NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
info@eidc.ac.uk
Publisher
NERC Environmental Information Data Centre
info@eidc.ac.uk
Additional metadata
Keywords
Americium , caesium , Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ) , Chornobyl , cobalt , COMET , Concentration ratio , Environmental risk , Environmental survey , ERICA , Europium , plutonium , potassium fertiliser , radioecology , Radioecology , radionuclide , Soil , strontium , Terrestrial biota , Transfer parameter , TREE , Ukraine
Last updated
27 February 2024 16:14