Study of radionuclide composition of the drinking water potential sources at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site

Abstract

The contamination degree with artificial radionuclides of the “Degelen” site streams, as well as the wells and boreholes fed from the underground water sources, has been studied. These objects are the potential sources of drinking water at the Semipalatinsk Nuclear test site. Such approach made it possible to identify the most significant radionuclides-contaminants typical for the selected objects, to reveal the nature of contaminants distribution, and to calculate the radionuclide indices for all the sampling points. According to the obtained data, recommendations can be provided on water purification of the studied objects in order to meet the hygienic criteria for drinking water quality.