Main radiation pathways in the landscape of Armenia

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate sources, accumulation, and vertical migration of radionuclides in Armenia, and their impact on biota.

Conclusions: This review describes the radiation status in the landscape of Armenia and features of the impact of natural and human-generated radiation on human and non-human biotas, according to studies of Armenian scientists carried out since the middle of the last century. The mountain landscape demonstrates the diversity, speciation, and radioresistance of the biota, which arise under radiation exposure in a variable environment. Although the effects of radiation have been described for a long time, some of them require further study. It is important to present the data collected in order to produce a base line for future studies of radiation effects and interactions with other stressors caused by climate change.

Keywords: Landscape of Armenia; accumulation and migration of radionuclides; impact on human and non-human biotas; natural and human-generated sources of radiation.