Preface to the article “Peaceful Nuclear Explosions”

A. A. Ekidin

PEACEFUL NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS

A. P. Vasiliev, V. A. Iliechev

This article is dedicated to the study of the history and results of peaceful nuclear energy programs in the USSR, as well as an analysis of their impact on the development of scientific and industrial technologies in country.

FROM THE ARCHIVE OF THE IIE UB RAS. ASSESSMENT OF ATMOSPHERIC FALLOUTS IN THE TERRITORY OF THE CITY OF KARABASH BASED ON THE DATA OF SNOW SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS IN 2005

A. N. Medvedev

The article presents some results of the 2005 assessment of the intensity and spatial distribution of atmospheric fallout of pollutants in the city of Karabash, Chelyabinsk Region, from ZAO «Karabashmed» copper smelter emissions. The assessment was conducted by the Institute of Industrial Ecology of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences based on data from snow sampling and analysis as part of the implementation of a program of measures to address environmental and social issues in the city of Karabash, developed by the Public Commission formed on the initiative of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation V. P. Lukin on January 20, 2005. The studies were conducted in the spring of 2005 to assess the situation prior to the implementation of priority measures to reconstruct the copper smelter, aimed at reducing dust and sulfur dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, which were completed in mid-2005. Repeated studies were conducted in early 2006. Comparison of the results with the data of 2005 showed positive dynamics in the form of a decrease in the intensity of dust fallout from the atmosphere by 2.3 – 6.4 times (by 3.6 times on average) and a reduction of more than 5 times in the area of the region with a very high level of pollution, which confirmed the environmental effectiveness of the measures taken to reconstruct the copper smelter.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IN SUPPORTING OF RADIATION SAFETY OF THE RADIOACTIVE WASTE FINAL ISOLATION FACILITY «URAL» BRANCH FSUE «NO RWM»

A. A. Ekidin, M. E. Vasyanovich, E. I. Nazarov, D. D. Desyatov, I. R. Kamalova, V. V. Ogorodnikova, D. V. Lavrentyev,                  V. A. Shatalin, O. Yu. Nonosyolova, Yu. D. Kalmakov

An example of creating an independent source of relevant information on the degree of radiation technologies environmental impact is presented in this article. The result is achieved within the framework of public control by the combined efforts of the Academy of Sciences institute, higher education and public organizations. Due to its characteristics and purpose, each participating party forms its specific contribution to the overall result of public participation: Academy specialists – competence; University graduate students – impartiality; public figures – relevance of the nuclear facility issues. The motivation for gratuitous participation in public participation events in supporting radiation safety is also specific for each organization: for universities and institutes – an additional opportunity to develop students’ competencies in the practical application of measuring instruments and practice of communication with the audience of interested parties, additional data within the framework of research programs. The joint surveys of five facilities of the Novouralsk urban district are aimed at creating reliable and objective materials in order to inform the public about the level of safety in handling solid radioactive waste by the Ural branch of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise NO RWM at the stage of final isolation. The obtained results of measuring the dose rate and radionuclide composition of soils in all surveyed sites are due to natural factors: cosmic radiation and the content of natural radionuclides (potassium-40, radium-226, thorium-232) in environmental objects.

ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS WITH MODERN APARTMENT BUILDINGS (THE EXAMPLE OF EKATERINBURG, RUSSIA)

А. A. Kozhemyachenko, A. S. Grigorieva, O. Yu. Bunakova, O. N. Zabelina, T. A. Oreshkina, A. A. Seleznev

The study was carried out to assess the quality of management and maintenance of residential neighbourhoods built to the latest standards. The assessment was carried out in the warm and cold seasons of the year on the basis of the landscape survey. The quality of the service provided by the management organisation in accordance with the applicable regulations was assessed as follows. In the cold season: the quality of snow and ice removal in the neighbourhood. In the warm season: the quality of maintenance for landscape zones, sweeping and cleaning the neighbourhood area, cleaning and mowing lawns. As a result, deficiencies were identified in the management and maintenance of neighbourhood areas. In the cold season, new neighbourhoods are not completely cleared of snow and ice. The snow is moved onto lawns and sidewalks and remains there until the end of the cold season. Technologies of working with de-icing materials are violated everywhere in the winter season. Additional sources of dirt in the cold season are unpaved areas, repair and construction sites. Maintenance and cleaning of neighbourhoods and sweeping are also of poor quality during the warm season. In general, the level of compliance with neighbourhood management and maintenance requirements in new residential quarters is rated as low.

STUDY OF SURFACE DEPOSITED SEDIMENTS OF THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT – AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

I. V. Yarmoshenko, A. V. Shevchenko, G. P. Malinovsky, V. S. Glukhov, A. A. Seleznev

The article presents a study of urban surface deposited sedimets as an ecological indicator component of the urban environment. The research examines the physical and chemical characteristics of surface sediments in two small towns in the Sverdlovsk region — Verkhnyaya Pyshma and Alapaevsk. Samples of surface sediments and other components of the urban environment were collected and analyzed using the following ecological indicators: typomorphic and anthropogenic metal associations; geochemical element associations (cluster analysis); deviations from initial geochemical baseline; mineral composition of surface sediments; distribution of elements across mineral associations, and more. The results confirm the pollution of the urban environment with copper in Verkhnyayan Pyshma, which is associated with industrial activities. The study demonstrates the potentialn of surface sediments analysis for ecological monitoring, assessing geochemical changes in urban environments, and developing measures to minimize anthropogenic impact. The significance of a comprehensive approach to addressing urban ecological safety challenges is highlighted.