Das Kernkraftwerksunglück von Tschernobyl: geographische Aspekte der Folgen in der Ukraine

Abstract

On April 26, 1986 the most serious accident in the history of the peaceful use of nuclear energy took place in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the immediate vicinity of the town of Pripet. Especially the surrounding areas that now belong to the republics of Byelorussia, Ukraine and Russia were affected. Within a radius of 30 to 50 km around the power plant human life, plants and animals, soils and water were most severely affected by radioactivity. The population had to be evacuated from this area rapidly. Economic activities had to be reduced in a much larger area. Like many other scientists and technicians, geographers also participated in the research on the consequences and on damage reduction. In spite of the contamination, vegetation became an "ally" of man, surprisingly fast. Pioneer plants supported the attempts to minimize the spread of radioactively contaminated substances by their reoccupation of former agricultural land. Observing this development, trees were planted purposively, to stabilize the radio-ecological situation. Extensive geomorphological, geochemical and geoecological research allowed to determine areas of further output and accumulation of radionuclides and their transportation routes. The economy in the contaminated areas was affected to different degrees. Seriously affected were agriculture and forestry in the Ukrainian Polesye. There is virtually no more production in the industrial towns of Pripet, Poleskoe, Chernobyl and Narodichi. Other areas and sites have changes in their production and their functions. The management has to mind constantly the danger of a further spreading of radionuclides and of the contamination of products. The most serious result of radioactive contamination is the worsening of the ecological conditions of life of the population. Additional dangers, on which little research has been done, result from the combination of "normal" pollution and the nuclear accident. The life styles of millions of people were deformed, thousands became ill and the constant expectation of additional diseases led to an enormous psychiological stress. The relief provided by the state is not insignificant, but because of the recession it encounters diverse limitations. The regeneration of the conditions of life is a great task for spatial research and regional planning. Especially the alleged mutual interdependencies between physical and social environmental conditions and developmental measures have to be examined, in spite of the urgent need for action. It is necessary to coordinate the projects of all the affected republics: Ukraine, Byelorussia and Russia.