Vol. 337 No. 3 (2026)
DOI https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2026/3/5102
Natural radioactivity and Cs-137 in sod-podzolic soils of the Tobolsk mainland
Relevance. The obtained data on the distribution of natural radioactivity and Cs-137 in the profile of sod-podzolic soils of the Tobolsk mainland are important as regional indicators for the Tyumen region in assessing radiation pollution of soils. Aim. Quantitative assessment of the specific activities of radionuclides (K-40, Th-232, Ra-226, Cs-137) according to the profile of sod-podzolic soils of the Tobolsk mainland, taking into account their physicochemical properties. Objects. Sod-podzolic soils of natural ecosystems of the Tobolsk mainland. Methods. Gamma-spectrometric method for determining the specific activities of radionuclides (K-40, Th-232, Ra-226, Cs-137), effective specific activity in soil samples using the Sputnik SKS-99 spectrometric unit; statistical analysis of the data obtained using Statistica 10.0 applying asymmetry coefficients, kurtosis and Spearman rank correlation. Results and conclusions. The distribution of natural radionuclides in the profile of sod-podzolic soils of the Tobolsk mainland is conditioned by physical and chemical properties of soils (potential acidity, granulometric composition, moisture, density of composition, porosity), as well as their content in soil-forming rocks. The degree of vertical migration of Cs-137 is very low due to heavier granulometric composition and high potential acidity of soils in the lower horizons. Average and median values of specific activity of natural radionuclides in the profile of the studied soils are below the values recorded in the zones of radioactive contamination and in the world. Average values of effective specific activity of natural radionuclides do not exceed the safe level – 100 Bq/kg. The effective dose rate of external gamma radiation at a height of 1 m from the ground surface in the studied territory of the Tobolsk mainland corresponds to the natural radiation background and does not exceed the world average values.
For citation: Alimova G.S., Kolobov A.P., Zemtsova E.S., Tokareva A.Yu., Yakimov A.S., Utkina I.A., Samkova M.V. Natural radioactivity and CS-137 in sod-podzolic soils of the Tobolsk mainland. Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Assets Engineering, 2026, vol. 337, no. 3, pp. 162–177. https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2026/3/5102
Keywords:
Tobolsk mainland, sod-podzolic soils, potential acidity, granulometric composition, rate of gamma radiation effective dose, radionuclide, specific activity, effective specific activity
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