Alexey Ivanovich Shcheglov

The article examines the levels of specific activity of man-made (137Cs) and natural (226Ra, 232Th, 40K) radionuclides in soils and biota components of the main ecosystems of the Teberdinsky National Park using the example of an ecological trail running along the Malaya Hatipara ridge (North Caucasus). Studies conducted in the conditions of a subalpine meadow (2600 m), pine (2300 m), fir (1700 m) and a meadow in the valley of the Teberdy river (1300 m) showed that all radiation characteristics — the power of the ambient equivalent dose of gamma radiation, specific activity and reserves of radionuclides in the soil and biota components are in within the normal limits. For natural radionuclides, they vary in the range: 226Ra — 14.71–24.95; 232Th — 20.95–29.25; 40K — 242.2–345.0 kBq.m-2. The density of soil pollution by 137Cs is 3.4 times lower than the indicator (37 kBq.m-2) established by the Law of the Russian Federation "On Social Protection of Citizens Exposed to the effects of radiation due to the Chernobyl disaster", and its presence in biota components in reliable quantities has not been recorded. However, the main radiation indicators are usually higher in the area of the subalpine meadow, located at an altitude of 2600 m.
In general, the radioecological situation on the ecological route of the Malaya Hatipara ridge is favorable, does not interfere with the development of ecotourism, therefore, the presence of people in this area is radiation safe.