Assessment of soil and ground chemical and radiation pollution on the gold-silver deposit “Klyon” territory (Chukotka Autonomous Region, Russia)

Abstract

Study of Arctic soils and grounds ecological state is relevant on the one hand due to their industrial development, on the other hand due to the need to preserve natural landscapes considering their high sensitivity to technogenic impacts. This study is aimed at assessing soil and ground chemical and radiation pollution on the territory of the gold-silver deposit “Klyon” located in Chukotka permafrost zone. The level of metal content in soil and ground samples was found to differ from the world soil clarke insignificantly. Field measurements of gamma radiation flux on the deposit sites under development have shown external equivalent dose rate of the gamma radiation to be at the natural gamma background level. Laboratory tests of soil and ground samples have shown their radioactivity level to meet radiation safety standards for construction materials. Studying changes of soil and ground chemical and radiation pollution over time as part of local environmental monitoring is noted to be expedient.