Mapping Surveys Conducted In The Exclusion Zone Near The Nuclear Plant

Researchers from the University of Bristol recently conducted a mapping survey near the Chernobyl Nuclear Complex, and found some previously-undiscovered radioactive hotspots in the exclusion zone.

Geek.com reports that the survey was conducted in cooperation with the National Center for Nuclear Robotics (NCNR) in the so-called "Red Forest" about 1,640 feet from the Chernobyl plant. The new hotspots were found south of the forest.

The area was hit by the immediate fallout from the April 1984 explosion at the plant's Number-4 reactor, and many areas of the forest remain strictly off-limits to humans. It is called the "Red Forest" because many of the trees turned a rusty orange color as a result of the exposure to radiation.

Scientists used both fixed-wing and multi-rotor drones equipped with specially-designed radiation detectors to conduct the survey. It was the first time fixed-wing drones were used in such a survey. The fixed-wing drones flew a grid pattern at about 35 knots above the treetops, and areas of interest got additional attention from the multi-rotor aircraft, according to the BBC.

One of the new hotspots was found in a soil separation unit used during the original cleanup of the area.

The team also overflew the village of Buriakivka, which is about 8 miles away from the Chernobyl power plant, and the abandoned settlement of Kopachi.

Additional surveys are panned in the coming months.

(Image from NCNR YouTube video)

FMI: Source report