General, Research, Technology

The most radioactive place on the planet

Scientific discoveries that allowed the use ofRadioactive elements, not only in theory but also in practice, allowed a person to create powerful reactors and the latest nuclear weapons. However, despite the significant advantages of such discoveries, mankind is constantly making its destructive contribution to the environment. Recent studies of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific have proven that they are still more radioactive than Chernobyl and Fukushima, even though more than 60 years have passed since nuclear tests were conducted on them. Soil testing results on some islands showed that plutonium levels — 239 and 240 — are 10–1,000 times higher than Fukushima, where an earthquake and tsunami caused the destruction of nuclear reactors.

Plutonium level - 239 and 240 on the atolls of Bikini and Enivetok, where radioactive weapons were tested, 10 times higher than the level in the Chernobyl exclusion zone

How are atomic bomb tests tested?

The dropping of atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima andNagasaki in 1945 was the actual conclusion of World War II. Despite this, the United States was interested in continuing to test radioactive weapons, which is why a number of such tests fell on the Marshall Islands, which are presented as a chain of islands between Hawaii and the Philippines.

The first two bombs were given the name Able andThe Baker, which was subsequently tested on the Bikini Atoll in 1946, had laid the foundation for a 12-year nuclear test period on the Bikini and Eniwetok Atolls, which tested 67 nuclear weapons.

See also: The most radioactive places on Earth

At 1951, the Envetok Atoll was heldThe first ever hydrogen bomb test, code-named Ivy Mike. Subsequently, the largest hydrogen bomb test was conducted on the Bikini Atoll in 1954. The “hero” of the day was the bomb, which was 1000 times more powerful than the atomic Little Boy, which destroyed Hiroshima.

Scientists claim that in addition to pollution of the atollsBikini and Enivetok, the consequences of nuclear tests also affected people living on the atolls of Ronzhelap and Utirik, who are also part of the Marshall Islands.

What could be the consequences of atomic bomb tests?

A team of scientists from Columbia Universitypublished the results of a series of studies conducted on the atolls of the northern Marshall Islands: Bikini, Enivetok, Rongelap and Utirik. External gamma radiation levels were significantly increased on the Bikini and Enivetok atoll, as well as on the islands of Anghebi and Nayen, compared with the islands in the south of the Marshall Islands, which were used as control points.

As a result of research, scientists found thatradiation background significantly exceeds the maximum acceptable level that was approved by the United States and the Republic of the Marshall Islands in 1990

As Proceedings of the source saysNational Academy of Sciences, scientists found that on the Runit and Enjebi islands on the Enivetok atoll, as well as on the Bikini and Nayen islands, the soil contains a high concentration of some radioactive isotopes, while all four islands exceeded the level of radioactive plutonium, the amount of which was significantly higher than was found in Fukushima and Chernobyl.

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In the course of the research, scientists worked andwith professional divers who collected 130 soil samples from Castle Bravo Crater on Bikini Atoll. As a result, it was found that the levels of plutonium isotopes - 239 and 240, americium - 241 and bismuth - 207 were significantly higher than the levels of the same substances that were found on other Marshall Islands. Researchers believe that such measurements of radioactive contamination are important in assessing impacts on ocean ecosystems.

Marshall Islands after 60 years is still a place with a high level of radiation infection, where, in spite of everything, people still live

Scientists are convinced that to protect the localof the population constantly exposed to harmful radiation exposure, the government of the country needs to take additional measures to inform people who live in the Marshall Islands. According to the latest research on local vegetation, fruits and vegetables grown on infected islands have increased levels of radiation pollution, threatening the lives of the local population of the islands.