Radioactive elements in Soils and Vegetation on Russian Arctic Islands (Meibel, Northern, Kolguev Islands)

«Radiation and Risk», 2026, vol. 35, No. 1, pp.53-63

DOI: 10.21870/0131-3878-2026-35-1-53-63

Authors

Lukoshkova А.А. – Sen. Researcher, C. Sc., Biol. Contacts: 20 Nikolsky Avenue, Arkhangelsk, Russia, 163020; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Yakovlev E.Yu. – Head of Dep., C. Sc., Geol.-Miner.
Puchkov A.V. – Sen. Researcher, C. Sc., Geol.-Miner. FECIAR UrB RAS.
Kaverin D.A. – Sen. Researcher, D. Sc., Geogr. IB Komi SC UB RAS.
Lipkina A.E. – Master's Student. SPbSU.
¹ N. Laverov Federal Center for Integrated Arctic Research, Ural Branch, RAS, Arkhangelsk
² Institute of Biology of Komi Scientific Center of the Ural Branch of the RAS, Syktyvkar
³ Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg

Abstract

The aim is to study radioactive elements in the soils and vegetation of the island territories of the Russian Arctic. In the soils and vegetation in the island territories alpha and beta activities, as well as the specific activities of natural and technogenic radioactive elements (¹³⁷Cs, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, ²⁴¹Am, ²¹⁰Pb, ⁷Be), have been found for the first time. The physical and chemical parameters of the soils were studied. The alpha and beta activity, along with the specific activity of radioactive elements in the soils and vegetation, were measured with the use of radiometric methods. The impact of physical and chemical parameters on the location of radioactive elements in the soil was revealed through mathematical correlation analysis. Calculation of the accumulation coefficient of radioactive elements by vegetation was performed. The specific activity of natural radioactive elements in the soils is within the range of global average values for soils, with the exception of ⁴⁰K. The highest specific activity of ⁴⁰K in the soils has been recorded on the Severny Island. The occurrence of 40K on the island is attributed to the geological structure of the area. The specific activities of technogenic radioactive elements in soils are lower than the established minimum significant standards. Radioactive elements are distributed differently within the soil profiles (in the upper humus horizons, in the peat horizons, in the parent materials, and in the bedrock). A strong correlation has been identified between the specific activity of natural radioactive elements and the mineral content of the soils. The specific activity of vegetation on the island territories of the Russian Arctic is higher than that of the soils. Vegetation is characterized by the highest specific activity of ²¹⁰Pb. Radioactive elements enter the vegetation through mineral nutrition from the soils and directly from atmospheric air. The research results provide unique and valuable information about the radiation environment and are important for the formation and distribution of vegetation in Arctic ecosystems.

Key words
radiation ecology, radioactive elements, Russian Arctic, Meibel Island, Severny Island, Kolguyev Island, radiobiology, environmental health.

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Full-text article (in Russian)