[V.I.Vernadskii's theory of the biosphere and modern problems of radioecology].

The importance of Vernadsky's scientific heritage for the present stage of science development was substantiated. His role in the formation of radioecology as an independent scientific discipline was emphasized. The ecological consequences of an anthropogenic increase of the radiation background and the prospects of nuclear energy development were considered.

[The change in efficiency of protective measures for reduction of 137Cs accumulation by agricultural plants in various periods after the Chernobyl accident].

Dynamics of 137Cs transfer factors to plants and the effects of protective measures on this radionuclide accumulation in the agricultural production is estimated on the example of the south-western regions of Bryansk District. Three periods in decreasing the 137Cs content in plants during 20 years after the Chernobyl accident are identified. The contribution of radionuclide decay, natural biogeochemical processes and protective measures aimed at reduction of the 137Cs accumulation in agricultural plants during various periods after radioactive fallout is shown. Maximum permissible levels of 137Cs contamination of cultivated lands, where crop products meeting current standards may be obtained, at different scopes of protective measures on radioactive-contaminated territories are forecasted. Periods after radioactive fallout, when crop and forage products meeting radiological standards are obtained, are assessed.

[Methodology for an assessment of derived radiation levels for agrocenoses].

Radiation protection of agrarian ecosystems should be considered as an integral part of a system for radiation protection of environment, with a special concern to agroecosystems' features. A methodology is proposed for an assessment of maximum permissible doses of radiation impact for agrocenoses based on an unified analysis of available data about effects of radiation in cultivated plants. It is considered as a component of radiation protection system for agricultural ecosystems. Critical doses and dose rates are estimated for crops under different exposure situations. It is shown that doses that could result in decreasing indexes of productivity and survival for main crops below 50% are unlikely up to 170-200 Gy and 15-17 Gy at an acute exposure of dormant seeds and vegetative plants, correspondingly. At chronic exposure, above 10% loss of productivity in crops is not expected at dose rates below 3-10 mGy/h.

[Soil sorption and transfer from it to plant of the radioactive and stable isotopes of chemical elements: methodology and experimental approach].

The adsorption of pair nuclides 60Co/Co and 65Zn/Zn by solid phase and their availability to plants were studied in soil suspension conditions and in the sod podzolic soil under controlled moisture. The situation when the radionuclide in constant activity is entered to system (surface water, soil) with different heavy metal contamination has been modeled. Was observed that soil contamination with heavy metal Co (Zn) significantly reduce sorption of the radionuclide 60Co (65Zn) by solid phase. As a result, the activity concentration of the 60Co or 65Zn in soil solution and, therefore, their mobility and potential availability to plants increases in 2-4 times with the total metal concentration increasing. The difference between two elements is that high Co concentration increase root uptake of the 60Co, whereas soil contamination with Zn reduce activity of 65Zn in the 14-days barley plants that may reflects diverse plant necessity of two elements and more important role of the isotopic exchange effect in the case of Zn.

[Radioecology as a branch of natural science: some thoughts on the interesting past, intricate and vital present and future prospects].

The paper describes more than a century-old history of radioecology, science which studies radionuclide migration in the environment and ionizing radiation effects on biota. The main stages are identified in the development of this branch of natural science associated with the study of problems of radioactive contamination of the biosphere (global radionuclide fallout after nuclear weapons tests, radiation accidents with the release of radioactive substances to the environment). Currently, the basic imperative of radioecological investigations is the analysis of radioecological aspects of nuclear power engineering (mainly problems of radioactive waste management). Issues are discussed of radiation protection of biota (environment)--the anthropocentric (sanitary-hygienic) and ecocentric approaches. The importance of radioecology is indicated as the most advanced field of ecology in studying anthropogenic effects on the nature.

[The cradle of the Russian radioecology (to the 50th anniversary of the Kyshtym radiation accident)].

On September 29, 1957, at a nuclear industry facility (Production Association "Mayak"), there was a large radiation accident resulting in the release of radioactive wastes into the environment and the formation of the East-Urals Radioactive Trail (EURT). Within the EURT and there established in 1958 an Experimental Scientific Research Station (ESRS) which came to be known as alma mater of domestic radioecology, various comprehensive long-term investigations had been carried out. The main results of these 50-year investigations have been summarized for a broad range of problems on radionuclide migration in the natural environment and ionizing radiation effects on biota, as well as problems of environmental protection. In addition to the studies of the in situ behavior of released during the accident anthropogenic radionuclides (primarily 90Sr, the main dose-forming radionuclide within the EURT), at the ESRS large experiment have been performed to study migration and biological effects on agricultural plants and animals of man-made radionuclides (especially fresh mixtures of fission products) introduced to the natural environment. Results of ESRS experiments are described on irradiation of natural biogeocenoses from a powerful source of ionizing radiation (1.2 x 10(15) Bq 137Cs). The first unique experience is described of remediation of radioactively contaminated areas with emphasis on agricultural radioecology. The importance of the EURT and ESRS radioecological studies for the development of radioecology as a science is stressed.

[Chernobyl and the environment].

Analyzed information which describes a wide spectrum of the consequences of radioactive contamination of natural ecosystems by the Chernobyl accident. The main regularities of radionuclide migration in the environment was been considered and scales of radiation damage to biota assessed. The area where signs of direct damage to biota are visible is shown to be noticeably smaller in size that the area where radionuclide concentration in environmental objects is above the permissible levels. The importance of the impact of radioactive contamination of natural ecosystems is assessed in terms of formation of exposure doses to the population. The conclusion was made that the detriment from all the factors is larger for humans (direct irradiation, limitation of the economic activity, etc.) than for biota.

[Radiological assessment of protective countermeasures in the private sector of rural settlements in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident area].

The effectiveness of countermeasures on private farms in rural settlements of the Russian Federation affected by the Chernobyl accident for the period of 1986-2005 was assessed. The averted collective doses to the residents of these settlements and the contribution of restrictive and agricultural countermeasures to dose reduction in the rural population have been estimated.

[The radioecological situation in the agricultural sphere in the contaminated regions of russia during the long-term after the Chernobyl accident].

The results of the contamination monitoring of the agricultural land and products in 2000-2005 in the regions of Russia affected by the Chernobyl accident are presented. The contribution is assessed of foodstuffs to the formation of internal exposure doses to the population during the long-term after the accident. Prediction is made of the change in the radioecological situation in radioactively contaminated areas.

[The effects of non-human species irradiation after the Chernobyl nuclear accident].

Data are presented on the effects of irradiation of different biota species after the Chernobyl accident.

[The transfer of 90Sr and of 137Cs radionuclides in the chain of soil-fodder-animal products in the area contaminated as a consequence of the Chernobyl AES accident].

The database on 137Cs and or 90Sr transfer factors in the soil-fodder-animal products chain compiled in the framework of the project "Radioecological Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident" under the French-German Initiative was analyzed. The 137Cs transfer factors were determined into 10 fodder types for farm animals. The 137Cs and 90Sr transfer from daily diet to milk is practically independent from milk yield and season and is about 0.83% and 0.16%. 137Cs transfer factor into beef (adult animals) is about to 2.4% from the daily uptake with fodder per 1 kg meat.

[The effects of the agricultural countermeasures on the irradiation of the population in the areas affected by the Chernobyl nuclear accident].

Radiological results were evaluated from the introduction of protective agricultural measures in the collective sector of the agroindustrial complex in the Chernobyl affected areas for the period of 1987-2005. The averted collective doses due to the reduction of 137Cs concentration in farm products were estimated, including the contribution to the averted collective dose of different food stuffs consumption.

[The use of computer system in the introduction of countermeasures in agriculture after the Chernobyl accident].

In the development of strategies for countermeasures aimed at the rehabilitation of contaminated areas, essential is to identify criteria for assessing their effectiveness and factors influencing the priority of the criteria chosen. A method is suggested for assessing effectiveness of countermeasures in agriculture based on a multicriterium analysis of radiologic, economic, regulatory and socio-psychological indicators characterizing the use of countermeasures. Rating of countermeasures strategies is presented depending on financing of works on the rehabilitation of the Chernobyl affected areas.

[A decade after Chernobyl: the results of research on radioecology]. / Desiatiletie posle Chernobylia: itogi issledovanii po radioékologii.

The paper presents the general results from the 10-year (1986-1996) studies on radioecology and radiobiology conducted in the region affected by radiation after the accident at the Chernobyl NPP. The regularities of radionuclide migration along the trophic chains, as well as effect of ionising radiation on biota in its habitat are described. The protective measures are reported aimed at mitigating consequences of the accident for the environment. The paper also presents the main findings of studies on agricultural radioecology with taking into account the importance of radionuclide turnover in agrosphere and implementation of countermeasures in the agro-industrial production.

[Radiation protection of the environment: anthropocentric and eco-centric principles]. / Radiatsionnaia zashchita okruzhaiushchei sredy: antropotsentricheskii i ékotsentricheskii printsipy.

The second half of the XX century was dominated in the field of radiation protection of the environment by the anthropocentric concept stated by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). According to this concept "if man is adequately protected by radiological standards then biota are also adequately protected". At the end of the XX--beginning of the XXI centuries in the area of area of radiation protection of nature an ecocentric strategy is beginning to develop where emphasis has swung to the protection of biota in their environment. Inadequacy of ICRP's anthroposentric concept is reported. Issues are discussed such as ecological dosimetry, nonequidosal irradiation of man and biota, criteria for estimating radiation induced changes in biota and man, as well as the need to harmonize permissible exposure doses to man and biota. An urgent need is stressed to develop a single (synthetic) concept of radiation protection which simultaneously ensures protection of human health and biota well-being in their environment. This concept is to be based on the recognition of the integrity of socio-natural ecosystems where man and biota are considered as a unity.

[Methods of analysis of protective measures in agriculture regarding radioactively contaminated land: evaluation of the effectiveness, intervention levels and comparison of different countermeasures]. / Metody analiza zashchitnykh mer v sel'skom khoziaistve na radioaktivno zagriaznennykh territoriiakh: otsenka éffektivnosti, urovni vmeshatel'stva i sravnenie razlichnykh kontrmer.

Methodological aspects of the analysis of protective measures in agriculture in the long-term period of liquidation of the consequences of a nuclear accident are considered. Examples of the estimations of countermeasure effectiveness with the use of the cost-benefit analysis, as well as methods of the estimation of intervention levels and examples of a comparison of various protective measures with the use of several criteria of effectiveness are discussed.

[Optimization of radiation protection in the agrosphere: methods of optimization and computer systems for decision support with respect to management of protective measures]. / Optimizatsiia radiatsionnoi zashchity v agrosfere: metody optimizatsii i komp'iuternye sistemy podderzhki priniatiia reshenii po vedeniiu zashchitnykh meropriiatii.

Principles and methods of radiation protection optimisation for countermeasure implementation on areas subjected to radioactive contamination are discussed. Methodological aspects of the protective measures analysis in agrosphere are presented. Methods of estimation of intervention levels, examples of assessment and comparison of countermeasure effectiveness with the use of various criteria are considered. The brief review of up-to-date decision support systems is submitted along with the description of computer system PRANA DSS for estimation of the consequences and countermeasures management in agrosphere in the long-term period of liquidating the consequences of a nuclear accident.