Radioecological analysis of landfill ecosystems in the Western Forest-Steppe (Ukraine)

Abstract This study aims to investigate the radiological hazard and possible impact of household waste landfills on adjacent ecosystems (four landfills within the Western Forest-Steppe). Radiation background measurements were made for the first time for the selected landfills, soil samples were taken in the 5-10 cm and 10-20 cm horizons and plant samples were collected, and further examined for radioactivity ( 40 K - natural, 137 Cs and 90 Sr - artificial radionuclides). The research results revealed a prevailing dynamics of specific mass activity of radionuclides near the waste sites compared to the indicators in the control areas (mainly forest). The situation at the Dunaivtsi landfill is different, since most indicators are lower than background, especially 40 K. On the territory adjacent to the Khmelnytskyi landfill, the specific mass activity of 137 Cs is higher than the background value, while 90 Sr and 40 K values fluctuate. The study of plant samples showed a significant excess of 137 Cs and 90 Sr, but significantly lower values of 40 K compared to the control site. The radiation background values are higher than the control value. It has been established that there is no significant radioactive load on ecosystems bordering household waste landfills, but the ionizing capacity and cumulative effect of exposure to ionizing radiation sources, the ability to vertical and horizontal migration, their long-term impact on public health, the existence of living beings, ecosystems and the modifications they can cause should be considered.