Migration of natural radionuclides in surface waters in the El’kon uranium mining district, southern Yakutia

The paper presents data on the specifics of migration of natural radionuclides with surface waters in anthropogenically contaminated mountain taiga landscapes in the El’kon uranium mining district in southern Yakutia. The radionuclides most intensely leached by the waters of surface watercourses from dumps produced in the course of exploration operations are proved to be 238U and 222Rn. The enrichment of the surface waters in organic matter during the high-water period enhances the migration capability of 238U. Based on the concentrations of these elements analyzed in the waters, bottom sediments, and eluvial soils, estimates are made for the extent of aquatic scatter of natural radionuclides from the contamination sources.