Radionuclides in soils of high-mountain regions of the North Caucasus
The paper presents the results of studies of the activity concentration of radionuclides in the high mountainous regions of the North Caucasus (height above sea level from 1800 m to 3150 m). The control site were laid out on the Lago-Naki Plateau (Caucasian Biosphere Reserve, Republic of Adygea), Shadzhatmaz Plateau (Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia), Alania National Park (Republic of North Ossetia-Alania) and on the peaks of Cheget and Terskol (Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria). A distinctive feature of this work is the establishment of background concentrations of natural dose-forming radionuclides in the soils of high mountain areas. It is shown that for a height of 1800-2200 m and mountain meadow soils on sedimentary rocks, the background activity concentration of natural radionuclides is 20-40 Bq/kg for 226Ra and 232Th and 300-500 Bq/kg for 40K. Due to the uneven distribution of artificial 137Cs after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, it is not advisable to establish its background concentrations. It is necessary to conduct large-scale screening studies of the distribution of radiocesium in soils of high mountains to assess its distribution and identify possible spots.