Taïga

In the summer of 2009, we performed a field survey of the “Taiga” peaceful underground nuclear explosion site, the Perm region, Russia (61.30° N, 56.60° E). The explosion was carried out by the USSR in 1971. This paper provides an extended summary of the available published data on the “Taiga” experiment. A detailed description of the site is illustrated by original aerial and ground-level photos. A large artificial lake (700 m long and 350 m wide) currently occupies the central area of the experimental site. The ground lip surrounding the lake is covered by a newly grown mixed forest. In situ measurements, performed in August 2009, revealed elevated levels of the γ-ray dose rate in air on the banks of the lake “Taiga”. Two hot spots were detected on the eastern bank of the lake. The excess of the γ-ray radiation is attributable to the man-made radionuclides 60Co and 137Cs. The current external γ-ray dose rate to a human from the contaminations associated with the “Taiga” experiment was between 9 and 70 μSv per week. Periodic monitoring the site is recommended.

 V.Ramzaev, V.Repin, A.Medvedev, E.Khramtsov, M.Timofeeva, V.Yakovlev, « Radiological investigations at the “Taiga” nuclear explosion site: Site description and in situ measurements », Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 102, Issue 7, July 2011, Pages 672-680
 

http://archivesgamma.fr/1971/01/08/taiga