The Chernobyl nuclear disaster of April 26, 1986 is the worst nuclear accident in the history of mankind. An experiment conducted in the 4th reactor resulted in its explosion and a huge amount of radionuclides escaped into the environment in the course of the subsequent fire. The greater part of Europe was contaminated by radioactive fallout, including the former Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. From a health point of view, the most harmful radioactive substances causing radioactive contamination were caesium 137Cs and iodine 131I. The then government did not provide objective and true information to the citizens and the media depicted the disaster as an insignificant incident. I set the following goals of my thesis: a) to develop an overview of immediate and especially long-term consequences of the accident; b) to analyse the knowledge of the population of the South Bohemian Region of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster depending on the age of respondents. For fulfilling the set goals, I set myself the following hypotheses: H1) the theoretical division of the population's knowledge will be normal; H2) the knowledge of persons over 45 years of age will statistically be significantly higher than that of younger people. I handled the given theme using available specialized literature, Internet sources and publications published by relevant institutions. In the introductory part I describe the construction of the power plant, basic technical parameters of the reactor used and the course and causes of the actual accident. The next section is focused on the consequences of the accident in individual time periods immediately, after 10 years and after 20 years. I devote myself both to influences on human lives and health and to environmental, social, economic and psychological consequences. Furthermore,I describe the situation in former Czechoslovakia and the way of informing the population by the then government. The last section of the theoretical part is dedicated to the present situation in the Chernobyl region and at the power plant itself. While compiling the research part of the thesis, I gathered data among the inhabitants of the South Bohemian Region through questionnaire investigation. I addressed a total of 280 respondents, of which 140 were under 45 years of age and 140 were over 45 years of age. The questionnaire contained 15 questions concerning basic, not professional knowledge in this area. For the purposes of my questionnaire investigation, I divided the South Bohemian Region into districts. The selection of individual towns within the framework of the questionnaire investigation was carried out at random, by drawing lots. 280 questionnaires were completed in all, of which 140 questionnaires were completed by respondents under 45 and 140 questionnaires were completed by respondents over 45. By drawing lots, I selected 100 questionnaires out of these completed questionnaires, each age group being included. The test of the set hypotheses and statistical evaluation are carried out using descriptive and mathematical statistics. I carried out statistical evaluation by testing normality, using X2-good agreement test. I mutually compared the knowledge of the groups monitored by testing using a two-sample t-test, based on the estimate of empirical parameters from each group. Based on statistical investigation I came to the conclusion that the division of the population's theoretical knowledge was normal, which confirms the first hypothesis. The results of the investigation also unambiguously confirmed the fact that the knowledge of the population over 45 years of age was statistically significantly higher than the knowledge of the younger group of respondents. As far as total evaluation is concerned, the average value of correct answers in case of the older group of respondents reached 71%, while the younger group showed just 44% of correct answers, which confirms the second se hypothesis.

This paper uses a comparative focus group method to explore the conditions for risk communication after a hypothetical nuclear accident requiring decontamination. This is achieved by examining and comparing how older men and younger women express their deeper thoughts and ideas about risk and risk communication, and possible dilemmas they might face in the event of such an accident. Four focus groups were conducted with 18 residents of Örebro (eight younger women and ten older men). The discussions were recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically. The results showed clear differences between the groups in terms of frames of reference and ideas about their own actions. Similarities were found in how the view of risks related to radiation was dominated by fear, uneasiness and worry, and especially in how the need for information was expressed. The conclusions show that more research is needed to better understand the conditions for risk communication about such complex and stigmatizing issues in a Swedish context. / Denna uppsats använder en komparativ fokusgruppmetod för att undersöka förutsättningarna för riskkommunikation efter en hypotetisk kärnteknisk olycka som kräver sanering. Mer specifikt görs detta genom att undersöka och jämföra hur äldre män och unga kvinnor uttrycker sina djupare föreställningar om risk och riskkommunikation, samt möjliga dilemman de kan ställas inför vid en dylik olycka . Fyra fokusgrupper genomfördes med 18 personer bosatta i Örebro (åtta yngre kvinnor och tio äldre män). Diskussionerna spelades in, transkriberades och analyserades tematiskt. Resultaten visade på tydliga skillnader mellan grupperna vad gäller referensramar och föreställningar om det egna agerandet. Likheter framkom i hur synen på risker med strålning dominerades av rädsla, obehag och oro, och framförallt vilket informationsbehov respondenterna uttryckte sig ha. Slutsatserna pekar på att vidare forskning behövs för att bättre förstå förutsättningarna för riskkommunikation om sådana komplexa och stigmatiserade frågor i en svensk kontext.

Le Site Pilote de Tchernobyl (CPS) est voué à l’étude de la migration des radionucléides à partir de l’une des tranchées creusée pour enfouir la matière contaminée à la suite de l'accident de Tchernobyl (1986). L’objectif de cette thèse est d’étudier les processus de migration des éléments dans la nappe phréatique.D’abord, l’extension maximale du panache de contamination est étudiée à l’aide du traceur conservatif 36Cl. Dans la nappe, les rapports 36Cl/Cl sont 1 à 4 ordres de grandeur supérieurs au rapport naturel théorique (particulièrement en aval de la tranchée), signifiant une importante contamination de la nappe par le 36Cl.Ensuite, un modèle conceptuel des processus géochimiques est proposé à partir de l’étude des variations en [Cl-], [HCO3-], [SO42-], [NO3-], [Na+], [Ca2+], [K+] [Mg2+], [Si], [Fe2+], [Mn2+] et des rapports δ18O et δ2H. Certains éléments sont très influencés par la présence de la tranchée mais des processus naturels peuvent aussi avoir une influence sur géochimie des eaux (eau-roche ou de drainage).Puis, les rapports isotopiques 238U/235U, 86Sr/88Sr et 87Sr/86Sr sont mesurés pour étudier la migration d’U et du Sr. La dissolution des particules de combustible enfouies dans la tranchée et le lessivage des radionucléides qui leur sont associés pourraient avoir un impact significatif sur les rapports isotopiques dans la nappe. Une augmentation des concentrations en [238U] est observée en aval de la tranchée mais les rapports 238U/235U mesurés sont naturels. La procédure d'analyse des rapports 86Sr/88Sr et 87Sr/86Sr ne permet pas d’observer un changement de ces rapports dans la nappe mais une diminution du rapport est observée en profondeur. / The Chernobyl Pilot Site (CPS) was set up to study the migration of radionuclides from one of the trenches dug in situ to bury materials contaminated after Chernobyl accident. The aim of this study is to investigate migration processes in groundwater. At first, the maximal extent of the contaminant plume is investigated based on the study of conservative tracer 36Cl. High contamination of groundwater by 36Cl is shown, with 36Cl/Cl ratios 1 to 4 orders of magnitude higher than the theoretical natural ratio (specifically downgradient of the trench). Then, a conceptual model of the main geochemical processes in groundwater is proposed based on the study of variantions in [Cl-], [HCO3-], [SO42-], [NO3-], [Na+], [Ca2+], [K+] [Mg2+], [Si]), [Fe2+], [Mn2+], and δ18O and δ2H. Some element concentrations are mainly governed by migrations from the trench. However, natural geochemical processes are also assessed to have an influence on groundwater geochemistry (water-rock interaction, leakage). Next, uranium and strontium migrations are investigated based on measurements of 238U/235U, 86Sr/88Sr, 87Sr/86Sr ratios. Indeed, dissolution fuel particles buried in the trench and the release of associated radionuclides is supposed to have a significant impact on those ratios in groundwater. However, in spite of an increase of [238U] concentrations downgradient of the trench, measured 238U/235U ratios in groundwater are in the natural range. Analytical procedure for 86Sr/88Sr and 87Sr/86Sr ratio measurement does not allow observing some trend downgradient of the trench; however, 87Sr/86Sr ratios clearly decrease with the depth.

Thesis advisor: Donald Fishman / This paper will study three particular accidents in the nuclear industry: Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and the Fukushima Daiichi plant. These crises will be evaluated through a crisis management framework, using two main accident theories: Normal Accident Theory, and High Reliability Theory. The examination of the crises and the organizations involved will show that no matter how reliable the complex systems are, accidents are inevitable in the nuclear industry. High reliability theory expresses an ideal for complex organizations. While following the theory’s suggestions can limit some problems from occurring, acting as a mindful and reliable organization cannot prevent all disasters. The three cases presented in this paper will show that Normal Accident Theory must be accepted by the nuclear industry. Thus, governments and nuclear power plant operators must be prepared with crisis management plans in order to successfully handle emergency situations and limit damages. The first part of this paper will introduce Normal Accident Theory and High Reliability Theory. Then, after a brief overview of the basics of nuclear power, Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima Daiichi will be examined in the theoretical framework, including a discussion of each event’s crisis management techniques. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2012. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: College Honors Program. / Discipline: Communication.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

The first part of thesis is engaged in explanation of some basic concepts regarding an elected topic: radioactivity, isotope, nuclide, halftime, gamaspectrometry etc. In the second part I deal with element cesium and influence of the Chernobyl accident. The final part processes questions of cesium - 137 in wood ecosystem. It is mainly concerned with research and gamaspectrometric measurement of wood substance, bark and samples of soil. In practical part (it is one part of the final part) I made taking of samples (especially soil from the depth 0-5 cm, soil from the depth 5 - 20 cm, wood substance and forest planting) from some localities above all the South Bohemian Region and next their gamaspectrometric measurement (quantitative analysis of cesium - 137 in wood ecosystem) at SÚJB in České Budějovice according to methodology.Measured values of cesium - 137 in samples were relatively low and its impact on the health of our population is in regard to other sources of ionizing radiance insignificant. The supposed hypothesis was herewith confirmed.

The Chernobyl disaster is still considered to be one of the biggest catastrophic accidents in the history of nuclear energetics. After the explosion of the nuclear reactor, abundance of radioactive substance escaped to the atmosphere and in the shape of the radioactive cloud affected even the area of the former Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. Political parties and state authorities reacted on this situation by setting up the state committee, which under political pressure intentionally concealed the information about the risks and consequences of the disaster for the Czechoslovak population. The collapse of the regime not only revealed the crisis of the mistrust to the official sources of information, but also improved the effort of getting information from unofficial and, according to regime, illegal sources. The Chernobyl disaster also caused the mistrust to nuclear energetics. Therefore construction and initiation of the Temelín nuclear power station elicited the interest to the information about The Chernobyl disaster. I have decided to authenticate in my thesis, how well the residents of the Czech Republic are familiar with the Chernobyl disaster and how objective their knowledge about the radiological risks arising from the Chernobyl disaster at present are. I found out the state of the foreknowledge of the residents of the Czech Republic about the radiological risks arising from the Chernobyl disaster by means of questionnaires, where 200 respondents were interviewed. For more detailed research, I divided the residents of the Czech Republic into two groups. The first one consisted of the inhabitants that live in the zone of the disaster preparedness of the Temelín nuclear power station and comprise one half of respondents. The second group consisted of the inhabitants that live of the zone of the disaster preparedness. I drew up questions in the questionnaire in order to include the given problems completely ? from the knowledge about the risks arising from the disaster and emission of the radioactive substances to their consequences for human?s health and the way of reduction their impacts on the population of the Czech Republic. I evaluated the answers from the respondents to the single answers and drew up the tables. I accomplished them by the percentage evaluation of the right and wrong answers, computation of total mean of the achieved points and the total percentage success rate. The evaluation of the knowledge of the respondents of the Czech Republic was accomplished on the basis of the value of total mean of the achieved points and percentage success rate. I did a statistical evaluation by testing normality using ?2 Pearson's chi-squared test. The mutual comparison of the knowledge I did by testing by means of the two-sample t-test on the basis of the guess of the empirical parameters from each group. On the basis of this evaluation of the results of the questionnaire I can declare that the knowledge of the residents of the Czech Republic about the radiological risks arising from the Chernobyl disaster are at a very good level. The results also proved that inhabitants of the zone of the disaster preparedness of the Temelín nuclear power station have greater knowledge about the radiological risks arising from the Chernobyl disaster than the rest of the Czech Republic. It can be observed in the conclusion that all predetermined aims were successfully achieved and the results of the questionnaire also proved the assigned hypothesis.

Les accidents nucléaires des centrales de Tchernobyl et de Fukushima rendent primordial la compréhension des transferts de la contamination radioactive dans l'environnement et de ses conséquences écologiques. Bien que certaines études aient été réalisées sur les organismes supérieurs, trop peu ont étudié les communautés bactériennes telluriques, qui jouent pourtant un rôle essentiel dans la mobilité des contaminants dans les sols en diminuant ou en améliorant leur transfert vers d'autres compartiments (eau, végétaux, animaux). Cependant, les radionucléides (RNs) peuvent avoir des effets toxiques sur les bactéries, entrainant une inhibition de leur rôle dans ce transfert. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient (1) d'évaluer l'impact d’une contamination radioactive sur les communautés bactériennes d’un sol de la zone d’exclusion de Tchernobyl (sol de la tranchée n°22) et (2) d’étudier les interactions bactérie-uranium pour une souche résistante, isolée à partir de ce sol. / The nuclear power plants accidents of Chernobyl and Fukushima demonstrate the importance of the understanding of the transfers of the radioactive contamination in the environment and their ecological consequences. Although certain studies have been realized on superior organisms of the food chain, studies on telluric bacterial communities are scarce. The later play nevertheless an essential role in the mobility of contaminants in soils by decreasing or by improving their transfer towards other compartments (water, vegetables, and animals). Moreover, radionuclides (RNs) can have toxic effects on bacteria, leading to an inhibition of their participation in such transfer. The objectives of this study were (1) to estimate the impact of radioactive contamination on bacterial communities belonging to a soil of a Chernobyl exclusion zone (trench n°22) and (2) to study the uranium-bacteria interactions of a resistant strain, isolated from this soil.

In this paper I will present the concept of cosmic horror through the author H. P.Lovecraft and the philosophical perspective of cosmicism. Thereafter I examine some theoretical approaches of a dark pedagogy, and showcase a dark pedagogical curriculum. I shall then analyse the short story The Colour Out of Space, and the mini-series Chernobyl in order to explore themes of cosmic horror and relate them to a dark pedagogical practice, as well as relate the dark pedagogical curriculum to the regulatory documents of the Swedish high school, with a particular focus on the course of religious studies. In my findings I will show how the examined stories can be seen to fit within the dark pedagogical aspects of qualification, socialization and subjectification, as well as present the overlap that I have found between the dark pedagogical curriculum and the regulatory documents of the Swedish high school.

The diploma thesis focuses on the topic of environmental migration because of the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986. The main questions of the thesis are whether the Chernobyl accident is associated at any social level with environmental migration to the Czech Republic? To what time is the event socially framed? In what areas and how does the accident currently affect the lives of the environmental migrants? The diploma thesis has two research parts. The first part is a media analysis, which shows that the Chernobyl accident is mostly socially perceived as a matter of the past and is not associated with environmental migration to the Czech Republic. The second research part is based on anthropological research of semi- structured interviews with respondents. The result of this research is the division of radiation toxicity into five dimensions (political, biological, potential, reproductive, migration), in which the consequences of the Chernobyl accident continue to manifest themselves in the lives of environmental migrants. The dimensions of toxicity take place in different time frames, so the work also focuses on the temporality of modern accidents. The social perception of the Chernobyl accident as a finished event does not mean that it is no longer present in human lives. The aim of the...