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Center of Applied Research

Researche

(The period after decommissioning of the reactor)

At present, the priority spheres of scientific activities of the Applied Research Centre are the study of peculiarities of assimilability of radionuclides and toxic elements by annual and perennial plants from the contaminatedsoil, and the determination of the level of contamination of the soil nearby mining enterprises. At the present stage of research, the investigation showed that at the assimilation of Cs- 137 from the soil the annual and perennial plants behave differently and the assimilation of this radioactive isotope is of clearly nonmonotonic character. The mineral row material mining enterprises affect the air and soil. In Georgia there are two large enterprises of this type: RMG (in the east Georgia) and GM (in the west Georgia). It should be noted that following from the specificity of extractive ore, the effect of these enterprises on the environment is absolutely different. The concentration of heavy toxic elements in the soils of Dmanisi and Bolnisi exceeds (the limit determined coefficient) LDC. In the soil of Chiatura region the quantity of light elements necessary for human organism such as Mg, K, Fe Al is reduced.

The peculiarities of assimilability of radionuclides by annual and perennial plants from the contaminatedsoil are the following:

  • after a certain critical value of contamination of the soil with Cs-137, the perennial plants stop to extract radionuclide Cs-137.
  • annual plants sown in the soil heavily contaminated with radionuclide Cs-137 extract a small dose of Cs-137 during the process of their growing being explained by their protective capability.
  • assimilation of a great quantity of Cz-137 by annual plants from the soil starts after they stop to extract Ka.
  • In our opinion such specification is explained by the fact that that time the plant starts to fade and cannot prevent the getting of Cz-137 together with water.

It is planned to continue the researches connected with the problem of ecology and besides, the researches of such type in other spheres.

The personnel of the Applied Research Centre make also other experiments connected with the ecological problems. For example, a cycle of work was carried out when the conversion of radioactively contaminated liquid materials into solid state was studied in order to minimize the probability of their leakage into the environment. There is also studied the principle possibility of purification of water surface from contamination with oil by means of sawdust and activated charcoal.

In cooperation with the Ilia University the following two researches have been made:

The study of distribution of natural radionuclides in soil; The assessment of corresponding radiation hazard in terms of Tsalka region. For determination of the concentration of activity (Bq kg-1) of such natural radionuclides as 238U, 232Th and 40K the method of gamma-spectrometry was used. The samples were taken from the soil in Tsalka region, the South Georgia. The content of radionuclides in soil was determined to be g. kg-1 and ppm. Besides, the concentration of that artificial radionuclide 137Cs was determined that revealed the character of contamination of the studied area. On the basis of the radiation results the critical value of some significant physical parameters was estimated being necessary for assessment of the risk of radiation effect on population. By comparing the results with the previous results and with the results of International Organizations and with the recommendations of International organizations the corresponding conclusions were made.

In the second work the distribution of natural radionuclides in soil was studied and the radiation hazard was evaluated in terms of Khrami massif. The investigation was carried out to determine the distribution of natural radionuclides (238U, 232Th and 40K) in the massif of Khrami Late Variscan crystal and in soils the neighboring territory is covered with. The gamm-radiation spectrometry was used. On the basis of obtained results, by estimation of radiological parameters (the indicator of the gamma-radiation dose absorbed outside the building, the annual effective dose, the equivalent action of radium) the hazard of radiation from the used building materials was ascertained. By means of artificial 137Cs radionuclide the character of radioactive contamination of the studied area was revealed. The difference was registered between the concentrations of radionuclides originated at the expense of Late Variscan crystal substrate and as a result of newly erupted lava. The obtained results are compared with similar investigations carried out in different countries and with the data and recommendations published by International organizations (UNSCEAR, ICRP).

Again, as a result of cooperation, this time, with Georgian Polytechnic University the following research work was fulfilled, in which the problem of vertical migration of 137 Cs radionuclide is studied in soil of two resorts in Georgian Bakhmaro and Ureki located at different heights above the sea level. The samples were taken after 31 years from Chernobil accident, i.e. after passing the half- life period of the mentioned radionuclide. A great interest to the problem of 137 Cs is explained by the reason of investigation of its migration in soils with different physical-chemical properties. The samples of soil on both places were taken on one and the same day (July 15, 2017)