Assessment of the radiological impacts of historical coal mining operations on the environment of Ny-Alesund, Svalbard.

Mineral extraction activities, such as those conducted by oil, gas and coal industries, are widespread throughout the Arctic region. Waste products of these activities can result in significant contributions to the radioactive burden of the surrounding environment due to increased concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) to levels that would not normally be found in the environment. Coal mining operations commenced in the early 1900s on Svalbard and have been conducted at a variety of locations on the archipelago since then. Coal contains radionuclides of the uranium and thorium series as well as 40K. Extraction and processing of coal can result in releases of these radionuclides to the broader environment with subsequent impact on the human and non-human inhabitants of the area. This paper presents the results of a study on environmental radioactivity resulting from historical coal mining operations conducted at Ny-Alesund, Spitsbergen, in the Svalbard archipelago. Activity concentrations of radionuclides found in materials associated with these operations are presented as well as the results of a spatial dosimetric survey conducted over an area affected by coal mining.

[Dangers in skiing]. / Gefahren beim Carvingskifahren.

The current study deals with the results of the examination of 685 patients, who were treated in the department of traumatology in the KKH Garmisch-Partenkirchen during the winter season 99/00 and 00/01. The study included 259 injured carvers (120 female, 139 male) with an average age of 33.9 years and 426 injured conventional skiers (212 female, 214 male) with an average age of 33.2 years. The aim of the investigation was to compare both ski groups concerning injuries, the pathomechanism and the skiing experience. The results of the investigation showed that the knee injuries of carvers were more severe than in the conventional skiers. The difference was significant (p < 0.05).

Gamma-emitting natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in the terrestrial environment of Kongsfjord, Svalbard.

This paper presents results obtained from a radiometric survey, conducted by the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, into the levels of gamma-emitting radionuclides, both anthropogenic and natural, in the terrestrial environment of Kongsfjorden, which lies on the North-Western Coast of Spitsbergen in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard (79 degrees N, 12 degrees E). Samples of terrestrial matrices were taken during field campaigns conducted between 2000 and 2002 and analysed for a range of gamma-emitting radionuclides. The objectives of this study included an assessment of the levels of gamma-emitting radionuclides in the terrestrial environment of the region, identification of processes and activities that influence the accumulation and redistribution of such nuclides within the region and elucidation of the behaviour of such radionuclides within a high arctic environment. Results indicate a quite homogenous spatial distribution of such radionuclides within the study area and highlight the relatively low levels of contamination by the anthropogenic radionuclide, 137Cs, on Svalbard. Average values and ranges of the radionuclides activities in surface soils (0-3 cm) were: 238U 42 Bq/kg (17-134), 226Ra 43 Bq/kg (12-137), 232Th 21 Bq/kg (4-52), 40K 283 Bq/kg (31-564), 137Cs 35 Bq/kg (1-146). Average levels of these nuclides in avian faecal materials were 238U 63 Bq/kg, 226Ra 54 Bq/kg, 232Th 19 Bq/kg, 40K 365 Bq/kg, 137Cs 78 Bq/kg. Enrichment of radionuclides is apparent in soils taken from locations close to bird colonies in the locale, maximum levels of the radionuclides being found in samples associated with such colonies. The results indicate that this is due to concentration of such radionuclides within the faecal material of the birds and subsequent enrichment of the nearby soils either via direct incorporation of the faeces into the soil or by leaching processes. The results indicate that this process may result in contamination of non-related species, such as Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus playrhynchus), via pathways other than the traditionally accepted route of atmospheric deposition-vegetation-reindeer.