Water contamination rate at Karabulak Creek.

This paper presents research data on water contamination levels of artificial radionuclides and heavy metals in Karabulak Creek at the Semipalatinsk Test Site. The uranium isotopic composition has been studied (235U and 238U). Priority contaminants and the most ‘contaminated’ sections of the Karabulak creek were identified, and water quality-related indicators were also estimated. The environmental situation around Karabulak Creek at the «Degelen» site—at which underground nuclear tests have been conducted—was found to be unique and attributed to the combined effect of man-made radiation and natural factors and, in particular, to geochemical features of the region.

本研究提供了塞米巴拉金斯克试验场（Semipalatinsk Test Site）卡拉布拉克溪（Karabulak Creek）水体中人工放射性核素（artificial radionuclides）与重金属（heavy metals）的污染水平相关研究数据。研究针对铀同位素组成（包含铀-235与铀-238）开展了分析测定，明确了该区域的优先污染物以及卡拉布拉克溪污染最为严重的河段，并对相关水质指标进行了评估测算。研究发现，曾开展地下核试验的捷列伦（Degelen）场地周边的卡拉布拉克溪环境状况具有独特性，该状况由人为辐射与自然因素共同作用形成，其中区域地球化学特征的影响尤为突出。