Changes in the Geological Environment during Construction
and Exploitation of Nuclear Stations

I. V. Arkhangel’skii

St. Petersburg Research and Prospecting Institute “Energoizyskaniya,” St, Petersburg, Russia

Received May 5, 1998

Abstract—The changes in the geological environment during construction of nuclear stations are considered.
Special attention has been given to the changes typical of nuclear power facilities: radioactive pollution and
appearance of the ionizing emission fields, which cause decomposition of rock-forming minerals and radiolysis
of groundwater. The combined action of many anthropogenic factors weakens a soil massif and induces heat,
radiation, and chemical anomalies. On terminating radioactive contamination, the geological environment grad-
ually eliminates technological radiation.