Abstract
Presents a radiocaesium deposition pattern over Ireland resulting from the Chernobyl accident. Contaminated grassland soils from over 110 sites were analysed using gamma ray spectrometry. 134Cs, 137Cs and 40K were measured in all samples. The Chernobyl 137Cs was identified using an initial Chernobyl fallout 137Cs to 134Cs ratio of 1.90. The results show a mean deposition level of 3.2 kBq m-2 of 137Cs due to Chernobyl. The range of deposition was from 0.3 to 14.2 kBq m-2. The distribution pattern is presented both on a National Grid sub-zone basis and a higher resolution shaded map. A similarly shaded map shows the rainfall levels responsible for most of the washout. It is pointed out that some areas on both east and west coasts with maximum rainfall did not have maximum caesium deposition. In other areas a better correlation between rainfall and caesium deposition exists. A mean figure for the pre-Chernobyl 137Cs in surface soil is provided.