METHODOLOGY AND ORGANIZATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH IN THE SYSTEM OF LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY AND RADIOECOLOGICAL MONITORING OF TERRITORIES CONTAMINATED WITH RADIONUCLIDES
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Journal Environmental Problems
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Abstract
This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of
methodological approaches to the organization of environmental research in the context of landscape ecology with an emphasis on radioecological monitoring of areas contaminated
with radionuclides. The study is based on a systematic approach that takes into account the spatial differentiation of
radioactive contamination in relation to the geo-ecological
characteristics of the area and the structure of landscapes. The
main attention is paid to the formation of a scientifically based
monitoring system, which provides for zoning of territories,
continuous long-term monitoring of the dynamics of changes
in the radiation situation, as well as the development of indicators for risk assessment. An innovative methodology for spatial modeling and mapping of radioactive contamination based
on the identification of natural barriers and analysis of radionuclide migration mechanisms in different types of landscapes
is proposed. The use of GIS technologies makes it possible to
improve the accuracy of predicting the spread of contamination and identify the most vulnerable areas. The work is of
practical importance for improving environmental management strategies, reducing risks to public health and environmental protection. The results can be used as a basis for developing regional environmental monitoring programs.
Keywords: methodology, environmental research, radioecology, landscape ecology, radionuclides, environmental monitoring.
Description
Radioecological contamination of territories
continues to be one of the most serious environmental
problems in the world, especially in countries affected
by accidents at nuclear and energy facilities (IAEA,
2013). After the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant
tragedy in 1986, large areas of Ukrainian landscapes
were contaminated with persistent radioactive elements such as cesium-137, strontium-90, and plutonium-239 (UNSCEAR, 2008). This has led to changes in the natural environment, deterioration of ecosystems and risks to the health of the local population
(Yatsyk et al., 2014).
In modern ecological science, a systematic approach to studying these processes based on landscape-ecological analysis is of particular importance,
which allows taking into account the spatial patterns
of radionuclide distribution depending on the morphology, hydrology and geochemistry of landscapes
(Mints et al., 2009). Landscape ecology as an interdisciplinary field of research allows to create comprehensive models of the ecological state of territories
and predict further dynamics of pollution (Yaroshenko et al., 2016).
Unlike previous studies that focus mainly on
assessing radioactive contamination levels without
taking into account spatial and landscape features, the
proposed approach is based on the integration of the
principles of landscape ecology and spatial modeling.
The novelty lies in the development of a methodology
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Citation
Parakhnenko V., Honcharuk V. (2025). Methodology and organization of environmental research in the system of landscape ecology and radioecological monitoring of territories contaminated with radionuclides. Journal Environmental Problems, 10(2), 119–126. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23939/ep2025.02.119