ABSTRACT
Table 4. Approximate quantities of a number of nuclides released into the atmosphere as a result of the acciden; ty the Chernobyl Unit 4 reactor, USSR, 26 April to 6 May 198034J
Nuclide Quantity Nuclide Quantity (TBq) (TBq)
90Sr 8000 238pu 30 95Zr 140800 239Pu 25.5 106Ru 58000 240pu 36
134Cs 19000 241pu 5100 137Cs 37700 242c, 780 144Ce 89600
Much has already been published about the initial dispersion of the atmospheric release, which occurred largely at altitudes of less than 2 km(35). It has resulted in contamination - by direct deposition and run-off - of a number of areas including the Caspian, Black, Mediterranean, Baltic, North and Irish Seas, and even the NE Atlantic Ocean to at least 70°N(30. It will be interesting to compare the behaviour of nuclides arising from Chernobyl in these areas with earlier data on the same nuclides arising from weapon's fallout.
