Author(s)

A. S. Barinov, V. G. Safronov & S. V. Mikheykin

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the very specific subject of former industrial and municipal wastes dump sites where low level radioactive wastes were buried in the 1940s–1960s in accordance with old radiation protection standards. These dump sites were formerly located in suburban areas but as a result of rapid development of big cities these areas are now to be found in city limits with high populations. Former nuclear research and industrial facilities are also included within these city limits. The problem of safe decontamination, decommissioning and site remediation is an urgent necessity. Experience of Mos SIA \“Radon” has shown that each object is unique and therefore for any project it is necessary to begin searching for all kinds of information that may available. This may be historical records, project designs, construction records and records regarding modifications in the design of the object, radiometric and spectrometry data, and engineering surveys. For all objects that were commissioned 40–50 years ago, there is no trustworthy information about the design of the buildings and modifications; communications; equipment; contamination and radionuclide composition. Usually for decontamination of contaminated sites with soil contamination it is necessary to remove contaminated soil and separate fine particles (less than 100 mkm) which consist of practically 90–95% contamination Keywords: soil decontamination, radioactive wastes, site characterization, decontamination plan, soil washing process, microgels, erosion protection.

Keywords

soil decontamination, radioactive wastes, site characterization, decontamination plan, soil washing process, microgels, erosion protection.