The long-term effects of the Chernobyl incident on the environment are still becoming apparent, twenty years after the event. This book, written by two researchers with frontline experience in this field, provides a detailed review of these over a wide range of ecosystems. It also discusses the responses and countermeasures utilised to combat the effects of the accident, as well as considering the health, social, psychological and economic impacts on the human population.

Chernobyl - Catastrophe and Consequences

• provides a comprehensive assessment of the Chernobyl accident and its long-term consequences
• draws on the most recent measurements of contamination in the terrestrial and aquatic food chains

• discusses the sociological consequences of such disasters in detail This book adds valuable weight to the debate about the environmental cost of nuclear power and the issue of nuclear safety.

  Zusammenfassung
  As the debate about the environmental cost of nuclear power and the issue of nuclear safety continues, a comprehensive assessment of the Chernobyl accident, its long-term environmental consequences and solutions to the problems found, is timely. Although many books have been published which discuss the accident itself and the immediate emergency response in great detail, none have dealt primarily with the environmental issues involved. The authors provide a detailed review of the long-term environmental consequences, in a wide range of ecosystems, many of which are only now becoming apparent. They also highlight responses and counter-measures to combat the environmental consequences and discuss health, social, psychological and economic impacts on the human population as well as the long-term effects on biota.

  Inhalt
  Radioactive fallout and environmental transfers.- Radioactivity in terrestrial ecosystems.- Radioactivity in aquatic systems.- Application of countermeasures.- Health consequences.- Social and economic effects.- Effects on wildlife.- Conclusions.