Problems of contamination of biogeocenoses as a result of the use of depleted uranium munitions in new regions of Russia. Review

«Radiation and Risk», 2026, vol. 35, No. 1, pp.28-42

DOI: 10.21870/0131-3878-2026-35-1-28-42

Authors

Razdayvodin A.N. – Head of Dep. Contacts: 15 Institutskaya str., Pushkino, Moskow region, Russia, 141202; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Radin A.I. – Head of Lab.
Romashkin D.Yu. – Head of Lab.
Sidorenkov V.M. – Acting Director, C. Sc., Agric. FBU VNIILM.
Marchenko T.A. – Chief Researcher, MD, Prof. VNII GOChS (FC).
Koryagin M.V. – Director of the Dep. Digital economy NPO.
¹ All-Russian Research Institute for Silviculture and Mechanization of Forestry, Pushkino
² All-Russian Scientific Research Institute for Civil Defence and Emergencies of the EMERCOM of Russia (Federal Science and High Technology Center), Moscow
³ Bauman Moscow State Technical University (Mytishchi Branch), Mytishchi
⁴ Digital economy NPO, Moscow

Abstract

This paper examines various aspects of ecosystem contamination in Russia's newly emerging re-gions associated with the use of depleted uranium munitions. Conflicts involving the use of such munitions are listed, and data on uranium concentrations and behavior in ecosystems are presented. Identifying contaminated sites and the toxicological and radiation impacts on humans and biota are considered. A sequence of priority actions is proposed, including comprehensive radiation and envi-ronmental monitoring of natural and anthropogenic ecosystems, radiation surveys, zoning of contam-inated sites, and decision-making on remediation measures. In conclusion, the authors conclude that ecosystem contamination resulting from the use of depleted uranium munitions is long-term and rep-resents a pressing issue for Russia's newly emerging regions. Addressing this issue requires scien-tific support, improved regulatory and methodological documents in radiation safety and the manage-ment of various sectors of the economy, and the use of accumulated experience in overcoming the consequences of radiation accidents and incidents.

Key words
radiobiology, radioecology, biogeocenosis, depleted uranium, uranium-238, uranium biogeochemistry, radiotoxicity, chemotoxicity, radioactive contamination of forests, biogeochemical barrier, protective measures, environmental health, public health.

References

1. Klepikov O.V., Zibrova N.V., Ivanov A.V. Environmental consequences of armed conflicts (information and analytical review). Mezhdunarodnyy nauchno-issledovatel’skiy zhurnal – International Research Journal, 2023, no. 11 (137), pp. 1-6. Available at: https://research-journal.org/media/articles/9039.pdf (Accessed 16.11.2025). (In Russian).

2. Gildenskiold S.R., Krylova T.I., Ivanova E.Yu. Fundamental consequences of the Great Patriotic War for the modern ecological system. Globalistics-2020: Global Problems and the Future of Humanity: collection of articles of the International Scientific Congress, Moscow, May 18-24, 2020. Moscow, Interregional public organization for the promotion of the study and promotion of the scientific heritage of N.D. Kondratieff, 2020, pp. 868-870. (In Russian).

3. United States Department of War: Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press Briefing Sept. 7, 2023. Available at: https://www.war.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3519485/deputy-penta-gon-press-secretary-sabrina-singh-holds-a-press-briefing/ (Accessed 14.09.2025).

4. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Commentary by the official representative of the Rus-sian Ministry of Foreign Affairs M.V. Zakharova in connection with the statements of the Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General F. Hack regarding the supply of depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine. Available at: https://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/1867116/ (Accessed 09.10.2025). (In Russian).

5. Bekman I.N. Uranium. The training manual. Moscow, Lomonosov MSU Publ., 2009. 300 p. (In Russian).

6. Greenwood N.N., Earnshaw A. Chemistry of the elements. Vol. 2. Moscow, BINOM Publ., 2008, 670 p. (In Russian).

7. Frechen M., Sierralta V., Oezen D., Urban B. Uranium series dating of peat from central and Northern Europe. Dev. Quat. Sci, 2007, vol. 7, pp. 93-117.

8. Aleksakhin R.M., Arkhipov N.P., Barkhudarov R.M., Vasilenko I.Ya., Drichko V.F., Ivanov Yu.A., Maslov V.I., Maslova K.I., Nikiforov V.S., Polikarpov G.G., Popova O.N., Sirotkin A.N., Taskayev A.I. Heavy natural radionuclides in the biosphere: migration and biological effect on populations and biogeocenoses. Moscow, Nauka Publ., 1990. 366 p. (In Russian).

9. Vernadsky V.I. Essays on geochemistry. Moscow, Nauka Publ., 1983. 422 p. (In Russian).

10. Perelman A.I. Geochemistry of the landscape. Moscow, State House of Geographical Literature Publ., 1961. 496 p. (In Russian).

11. Katz S.A. The chemistry and toxicology of depleted uranium. Toxics, 2014, vol 2, pp. 50-78.

12. International Atomic Energy Agency. Nuclear technology and applications. Energy. Nuclear fuel cycle. Spent fuel management options. Depleted-uranium. Available at: https://www.iaea.org/topics/spent-fuel-manage-ment/depleted-uranium (Accessed 15.09.2025).

13. Nenakhov Yu.Yu. The miracle weapon of the Third Reich. Minsk, Kharvest Publ., 1999. 624 p. (In Russian).

14. Supotnitsky M.V. Armor piercing projectiles based on depleted uranium and the consequences of their use for the environment and people. Vestnik voysk RKhB zashchity – Journal of NBC Protection Corps, 2023, vol. 7, no 1, pp. 6-23. (In Russian).

15. Handley-Sidhu S., Keith-Roach M.J., Lloyd J.R., Vaughan D.J. A review of the environmental corrosion, fate and bioavailability of munitions grade depleted uranium. Sci. Total Environ., 2010, vol. 408, no. 23, pp. 5690-5700.

16. Babkin A.V., Veldanov V.A., Gryaznov E.F., Imkhovik N.A., Kobylkin I.F., Kolpakov V.I., Ladov S.V., Orlenko L.P., Okhitin V.N., Rishnyak A.G., Selivanov V.V. Ammunition. Textbook. Ed.: V.A. Selivanov. Vol. 1. Moscow, Bauman MSTU Publ., 2016. 506 p. (In Russian).

17. Trueman E.R., Black S., Read D. Characterization of depleted uranium (DU) from an unfired CHARM-3 penetrator. Sci. Total Environ., 2004, vol. 327, no. 1-3, pp. 337-340.

18. Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nepal. Article by Director of the Department of Information Technolo-gies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia M.V. Zakharova for the newspaper «Komsomolskaya Pravda». Available at: https://nepal.mid.ru/ru/press-centre/news/statya_direktora_dip_mid_rossii_m_v_zakha-rovoy_dlya_gazety_komsomolskaya_pravda (Accessed 09.12.2025). (In Russian).

19. Fetter S., von Hippel F. The hazard posed by depleted uranium munitions. Sci. Glob. Secur., 1999, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 125-161.

20. Mitchel R.E., Sunder S. Depleted uranium dust from fired munitions: physical, chemical and biological properties. Health Phys., 2004, vol. 87, no. 1, pp. 57-67.

21. Lind O.C., Tschiersch J., Salbu B. Nanometer-micrometer sized depleted uranium (DU) particles in the environment. J. Environ. Radioact., 2020, vol. 211, pp. 106077. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106077.

22. Pertsov L.A. Biological aspects of radioactive contamination of the sea. Moscow, Atomizdat, 1978. 160 p. (In Russian).

23. Gudkov S.V., Chernikov A.V., Bruskov V.I. Chemical and radiation toxicity of uranium compounds. Rossiyskiy khimicheskiy zhurnal – Russian Chemical Journal, 2014, vol. 58, no. 3-4, pp. 103-110. (In Russian).

24. Sather A.C., Berryman O.B., Moore C.E., Rebek J.Jr. Uranyl ion coordination with rigid aromatic carboxylates and structural characterization of their complexes. Chem. Commun. (Camb), 2013, vol. 49, no. 57, pp. 6379-6381.

25. Vaysberg B.I. Natural radioactivity of soils in the forest zone and northern forest-steppe of the Middle Volga region: avtoref. diss. cand. sci. biol. Moscow, 1973. 23 p. (In Russian).

26. Grodzinskiy D.M. Natural radioactivity of plants and soils. Kyiv, Naukova Dumka Publ., 1965. 216 p. (In Russian).

27. Iskra A.A., Bakhurov V.G. Natural radionuclides in the biosphere. Moscow, Energoizdat, 1981. 124 p. (In Russian).

28. Anisova Zh.M., Yakushev B.I. Natural isotopes of uranium in soils and plants of pine forests of the Minsk Upland: monograph. Minsk, Belarusian Science, 2008. 163 p. (In Russian).

29. Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines for the protection of environmental and human health. Available at:

https://support.esdat.net/Environmental%20Standards/canada/soil/rev_soil_summary_tbl_7.0_e.pdf (Acces-sed 15.09.2025).

30. Kasperovich E.G., Pashinin V.A., Yanzin E.I. Rapid detection method of uranium aerosols and its species in the air. Tekhnologii grazhdanskoy bezopasnosti – Civil Security Technology, 2023, vol. 20, no. 3(77), pp. 35-38. (In Russian).

31. Methodology for measuring the specific activity of uranium-238 (238U) and radium-226 (226Ra) in samples of uranium ores and rocks by gamma spectrometry using the ORTEC-65195-P/DSPec Plus. Federal Register of Rosstandart No. FR.1.40.2013.15399, certificate No. 40181.3G190/01.00294-2010 dated April 22, 2013. (In Russian).

32. Methodology for measuring the specific activity of 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra, 224Ra, 40K, 138La in ores of rare and rare-earth metals by gamma spectrometry. Federal Register of Rosstandart No. FR.1.40.2017.25714, certificate No. 40053.16360/RA.RU.311243-2015 dated June 27, 2016. (In Russian).

33. Bakhur A.E., Starodubov A.V. Perspectives on using UAV’s in radioecology and in geological explorations. ANRI, 2016, no. 3(86), pp. 11-18. (In Russian).

34. Tsvetnova O.B., Shcheglov A.I., Stolbova V.V. On the problem of biodiagnostics under conditions of radioac-tive contamination. Radiatsionnaya biologiya. Radioekologiya – Radiation Biology. Radioecology, 2014, vol. 54, no. 4, pp. 423-431. (In Russian).

35. Udalova A.A. Biological control of radiation-chemical impact on the environment and environmental regulation of ionizing radiation: avtoref. diss. doc. sci. biol. Obninsk, 2011. 44 p. (In Russian).

36. Radiochemical determination of the specific activity of natural radionuclides in samples of food products, soil, and other environmental objects and biological samples. Methodological recommendations MR 2.6.1/2.3.7.0216-20. Moscow, 2020. 31 p. (In Russian).

37. Methodology for measuring the specific activity of uranium isotopes (238U, 234U, 235U) in samples of soils, grounds, bottom sediments, rocks, and building materials based on them by the alpha spectrometric method with radiochemical preparation. Federal Register of Rosstandart No. FR.1.40.2013.15390, Certificate No. 40181.3G182/01.00294-2010 dated April 22, 2013. (In Russian).

38. Methodology for measuring the volumetric activity of uranium isotopes (238U, 234U, 235U) in samples of natural (fresh and mineralized), industrial, and wastewater using the alpha spectrometric method with radiochemical preparation. Federal Register of Rosstandart No. FR.1.40.2013.15389, Certificate No. 40073.3G181/01.00294-2010 dated April 22, 2013. (In Russian).

39. Methodology (method) for measuring the activity of uranium (234, 235, 238) and thorium (228, 230, 232) isotopes in ashed samples of vegetation and aerosol filters using the alpha spectrometric method with radio-chemical preparation. Federal Register of Rosstandart No. FR.1.38.2017.27709, Certificate No. 285/2017-01.00115-2013 dated July 17, 2017. (In Russian).

40. Methodology (method) for measuring the volumetric activity of alpha-emitting radionuclides 232U, 234U, 235U, 238U, 228Th, 230Th, 232Th, 238Pu, 239+240Pu, 241Am in air samples collected using aerosol filters, using the alpha spectrometric method with radiochemical preparation. Federal Register of Rosstandart No. FR.1.40.2018.32409, Certificate No. 305/2018-01.00115-2013 dated November 7, 2018. (In Russian).

41. Lebedev A.T. Comprehensive environmental mass spectrometry. Moscow, Tekhnosfera, 2013. 632 p. (In Russian).

42. Domanov M.M., Ambrosimov A.K., Novichkova E.A. Distribution features of 226Ra, 238U, and 232Th in the surface layer of marine sediments under active biosedimentation conditions in the arctic front zone. Radio-chemistry, 2019, vol. 61, no. 5, pp. 446-449. (In Russian).

43. Shelton S.P., Daxon E.G., Palmateer Oxenberg T., Kowalski R.T., Lindsay D.O., O’Brien G.P., Rael J.E., Silva D.G., Smith R.A., Stone S.J., Strickland L., Thomson B., Tomei Torres F.A. Health and environmental consequences of depleted uranium use in the U.S. Army: technical report. Atlanta, U.S. Army Environmental Policy Institute, 1995. 273 p.

44. Bachurin V.D. Manipulative technologies used in modern military political discourse by mass media. Politi-cheskaya lingvistika – Political Linguistics, 2014, no. 4(50), pp. 99-104. (In Russian).

45. Imaykin G.V., Dzundza N.V. Discoursive analysis of manipulative influence in the media (based on news reports on the supply of depleted uranium munition to Ukraine). Linguistic support for military activities. Theoretical and applied aspects of the professional activities of a military translator: Proceedings of the III All-Russian scientific and practical conference on topical issues of linguistic support for military activities, Moscow, February 16, 2024. Moscow, Prince A. Nevsky Military University of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, 2024, pp. 167-174. (In Russian).

46. Rumyantseva G.M., Chinkina O.V., Bezhina L.N. Radiation incidents and the mental health of the popula-tion. Moscow, Federal State Institution GNTsSSP Publ., 2009. 288 p. (In Russian).

47. Rumyantseva G.M., Chinkina O.V. Problems of perception and subjective assessment of risk from ionizing radiation. Radiatsionnaya Gygiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2009, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 50-58. (In Russian).

48. Arkhangelskaya G.V., Zykova I.A., Zelentsova S.A. The difficulties of informing the population on the issues of radiation protection. Radiatsionnaya Gygiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2014, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 42-49. (In Russian).

49. Marchenko T.A., Melnitskaya T.B., Simonov A.V., Apanasyuk O.N. Information and psychological protec-tion of the population living on radioactive polluted territories: principles, methods, experience. Tekhnologii grazhdanskoy bezopasnosti – Civil Security Technology, 2014, no. 2(40), pp. 50-56. (In Russian).

50. Burtovaya E.Yu., Kantina T.E., Litvinchuk E.A. Characteristics of factors affecting the mental health of exposed persons in the long-term period after radiation exposure. Radiatsionnaya Gygiena – Radiation Hygiene, 2025, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 76-84. (In Russian).

51. Razdaivodin A.N., Maradudin I.I., Radin A.I., Romashkin D.Yu. Radioecological problems in the forests of Russia. Lesokhozyaystvennaya informatsiya – Forestry Information, 2019, no. 3, pp. 116-133. Available at: URL: https://lhi.vniilm.ru/PDF/2019/3/LHI_2019_03-10-Razdayvodin.pdf (Accessed 11.10.2025). (In Russian).

Full-text article (in Russian)